Huangming

Chapter 521 Ding Men's Perilous Journey, Very Profitable with Extra Money

"you you!"

As soon as Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, Zhou Miaoxuan's body froze instantly as if struck by lightning.

A blush spread visibly from her cheeks, down her neck, and down to her collar, making her look like a boiled shrimp, even her earlobes glowing with a hot color.

She looked up abruptly, her almond-shaped eyes, which had previously held a hint of wariness and confusion, now filled with shock and panic. Her pupils contracted slightly, and her lips trembled, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.

A moment later, her face turned as red as a ripe cherry, delicate and luscious, yet also carrying a hint of embarrassed embarrassment, just like a little animal that had been provoked.

really!

This emperor was a complete and utter tyrant!

Zhou Miaoxuan cursed inwardly.

She said it herself: all that talk about keeping her by his side to witness the truth, all that talk about being diligent in government and loving the people, it's all an act!
He was only after my looks and lusting after my body!

His previous focused demeanor while reviewing memorials was nothing more than a ploy to lure people in; he couldn't even be bothered to maintain the act for long before revealing his impatient nature!
Those scholars from Jiangnan were right after all; all emperors are licentious and tyrannical, and this young emperor before us is the epitome of a "tyrant"!

"hehe."

Zhu Youxiao watched the fascinating expressions on her face, from shock to embarrassment and anger, and then to the fleeting disdain in her eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle, his tone tinged with amusement:

"What? You're seriously considering it?"

He secretly thought to himself that this woman had been thoroughly brainwashed by those pedantic scholars from Jiangnan, and it would probably take her a while to come to her senses.

Without rigorous training and eradicating the prejudices ingrained in her, it would be difficult to truly subdue her.

Moreover, although he knew her background, he was not entirely at ease with her.

Who knows if she's clean or not, or if she's carrying someone else's child?

Haste makes waste. It's better to observe for a while and make a decision only after confirming that everything is in order.

Although Zhu Youxiao was an emperor, he wouldn't be so desperate as to be so indiscriminate in his pursuit of food.

"That's all."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, his tone returning to its usual calm.

"You must be tired. Go and rest in the side hall. You don't need to serve me tonight."

"you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Miaoxuan's face showed even more shame and anger, and her chest heaved slightly.

Although she had some resistance in her heart, she also had a bit of girlish shyness and hesitation, and had even prepared herself to half-heartedly give in. She did not expect that the emperor would just casually tease her and then dismiss her so easily!
What do they take her for?

Are they playthings that come when summoned and go when dismissed?

Shame, resentment, humiliation...

A mix of emotions made her want to explode on the spot, but due to the hierarchical relationship between ruler and subject, she could only bite her lip tightly and forcefully suppress the grievances in her heart.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, and Wei Chao rushed in, looking flustered. He didn't even bother with etiquette and loudly reported:

"Your Majesty! Urgent report from Jiangnan! It's extremely urgent!"

"Oh?"

The playful look on Zhu Youxiao's face vanished instantly, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Seeing that Wei Chao was covered in sweat, his face was pale, and even his breathing was somewhat disordered, he immediately understood.

The contents of this urgent report are certainly not good news.

"Send it up."

Zhu Youxiao reached out his hand, his tone steady, yet unable to conceal a hint of solemnity.

Wei Chao quickly handed over the urgent report sealed with wax.

Zhu Youxiao opened the package and his expression gradually darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

The urgent report clearly stated that after Wang Haoxian's defeat in Changzhou, he fled south.

Yuan Keli led his troops in hot pursuit, successively recapturing Suzhou and Songjiang Prefectures, forcing them into Jiaxing Prefecture.

Originally, according to Zhu Youxiao's plan, Wang Haoxian would continue to flee south and wreak havoc in Hangzhou Prefecture, so that the Disaster Relief Department could take over Suzhou, Songjiang and other places smoothly, appease the refugees and implement new policies.

But no one expected that Wang Haoxian was a ruthless character who didn't play by the rules.

Instead of continuing his southward escape, he turned westward and headed towards Huzhou Prefecture.

What's even more shocking is that he ambushed Zhou Xianzong's 5,000-strong army in Changxing County and defeated them in one fell swoop!

Although the urgent report mentioned that Zhou Xianzong underestimated the enemy and acted rashly, pursuing them without fully understanding the enemy's situation, it gave Wang Haoxian an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

Even so, the fact that he was able to defeat 5,000 government troops despite being in a defeated state is enough to show that Wang Haoxian's power should not be underestimated.

His chaotic army, after more than half a year of fighting on the move, has become quite combat-effective.

Raising a tiger will eventually lead to trouble!
Zhu Youxiao originally intended to use Wang Haoxian to shake up the foundations of the Jiangnan gentry, but unexpectedly, this pawn gradually got out of control and became an uncontrollable threat.

If this continues unchecked, there's no guarantee that Wang Haoxian won't gain a foothold in Jiangnan and establish a separatist regime. It will be much harder to deal with him then.

"It seems that Wang Haoxian can no longer be allowed to live."

Zhu Youxiao muttered to himself in a low voice, his tone icy.

"We must wipe them out as soon as possible to prevent future troubles!"

The atmosphere inside the warm pavilion instantly became heavy, and the ambiguous feelings of romance that had just passed were completely dispelled by the smoke and fire of war in Jiangnan.

Zhou Miaoxuan stood aside, watching Zhu Youxiao's profile turn cold and stern in an instant, feeling the murderous aura emanating from him, and couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart.

This emperor was sometimes cynical, sometimes diligent and focused on his duties, and sometimes so ruthless.

What kind of person is he?

Countless questions flooded her mind, causing her previously firm belief to waver once again.

"The Wei Dynasty!"

Zhu Youxiao's voice suddenly became serious.

"Immediately issue my oral decree, ordering Yuan Keli to change his strategy. He need not be so fixated on recovering lost territory. The primary task is to inflict casualties on the enemy's forces, and the most important thing is to find a way to eliminate Wang Haoxian!"

"Slave, you obey!"

Wei Chao bowed and accepted the order, while Zhu Youxiao's eyes grew even more profound.

He knew perfectly well that the key to Wang Haoxian's power growing against the odds during his retreat lay in this very army.

The battlefield is the best crucible. Those soldiers who followed him through the "retreat" and survived, having gone through life and death trials, have long since shed their initial ignorance and cowardice and become fearless veterans.

These five thousand veteran soldiers were the backbone of the chaotic army, the elite of the elite, and the source of Wang Haoxian's confidence to ambush Zhou Xianzong.

What alarmed him even more was the report in the urgent dispatch about the surrender of the garrison soldiers.

The Jiangnan garrison had long suffered from internal problems, and many soldiers had already become disloyal. Now, seeing Wang Haoxian's growing power, they seized the opportunity to defect, adding many experienced soldiers to his ranks and further enhancing the fighting strength of the rebel army.

In addition to this, Zhu Youxiao had a deeper consideration in mind.

As his strategic purpose of using Wang Haoxian to stir up trouble in Jiangnan and seize control of the region gradually came to light, those Jiangnan gentry who were on the verge of bankruptcy must have already noticed something amiss.

They knew that Wang Haoxian was the source of trouble, but in order to resist the new policies and protect their own interests, they would inevitably increase their support for Wang Haoxian in secret.

They were willing to pay any price to keep the uprising going and keep the emperor busy.

"The grand strategy of using popular unrest to control Jiangnan must not be changed."

Zhu Youxiao muttered to himself in a low voice, his tone firm.

"But Wang Haoxian, this pawn, has already shown signs of slipping out of our control. We must get rid of him as soon as possible and never let him really gain any real power."

He looked up at Wei Chao, his tone resolute and decisive:
"Issue another imperial decree: a reward of 100,000 taels of silver will be offered for the head of Wang Haoxian!"

"A generous reward will surely bring forth brave men; I refuse to believe that no one will dare to take his head!"

One hundred thousand taels of silver is a fortune that ordinary people cannot earn in several lifetimes. Such a generous reward is enough to make countless people flock to it.

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will immediately inform the Cabinet to draft an edict, which will then be disseminated throughout Jiangnan!"

A hint of excitement flashed in Wei Chao's eyes. He bowed and accepted the order, then quickly retreated, afraid of delaying even a moment.

Zhu Youxiao nodded. After Wei Chao left, his tense nerves relaxed slightly, and a sense of weariness washed over him.

He stretched, his joints making a series of soft cracking sounds, then patted his shoulder and said in a somewhat languid tone to Zhou Miaoxuan, who was standing beside him:
"Come here and give me a massage."

Although Zhou Miaoxuan still harbored resentment, she dared not disobey the emperor's will and obediently stepped forward.

Her fair, delicate hands rested on Zhu Youxiao's shoulders, her fingertips carrying a slightly cool touch, kneading with just the right amount of force.

Sometimes she would press lightly, sometimes she would massage; her movements were skillful, clearly indicating that she had received specialized training.

The comfortable pressure spread from his shoulders to his whole body, dispelling most of his fatigue. Zhu Youxiao almost hummed out in comfort.

He closed his eyes, enjoying this rare moment of relaxation, and suddenly asked:
Do you have a husband?

"Husband?"

Zhou Miaoxuan abruptly stopped, her eyes filled with astonishment, momentarily unable to comprehend why the emperor would suddenly ask this question.

She hesitated for a moment, but still answered honestly:

"Your Majesty, I am not yet married, nor have I met a suitable man to whom I can entrust my life."

She thought to herself that most courtesans of their background would gain fame and wealth while they were young and beautiful, and only when they grew old and lost their beauty would they find an honest man to settle down and live a peaceful life.

She is currently at a young age, and it is too early for her to talk about marriage.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao sighed softly, his tone carrying a hint of inexplicable melancholy:

"Pity."

"Pity?"

Zhou Miaoxuan was completely bewildered, utterly confused by these three seemingly random words.

Did this Ming emperor have some peculiar fetish?
So he actually likes married women?

Little did she know Zhu Youxiao's ulterior motives.

Zhu Youxiao had no filthy thoughts; he simply felt that if he were to have sex with Zhou Miaoxuan in the future, and hear her coquettishly call out, "Where is my husband?", it would surely be a unique experience.

Such modern, teasing thoughts were naturally impossible to express to her.

but.

Zhu Youxiao had plenty of ways to deal with this woman who had been brainwashed by the scholars of Jiangnan and was full of prejudice against him.

He could come up with at least ten ways to make her willingly give herself to him and overcome her reservations.

Ten kinds!

Zhu Youxiao's lips curled into a meaningful smile, and he thought to himself:
I imagine that day is not too far off.

Looking at the inscrutable smile on his face, Zhou Miaoxuan felt a chill run down her spine, and her kneading movements became more cautious.

She always felt that the emperor's mind was as deep as the sea, and that she was like a transparent person in front of him, with all her thoughts being seen through.

The mystery surrounding it made her feel like she was walking on thin ice.

She probably won't be able to reach the other side.

The next few days.

The air in the Forbidden City seemed to be stretched taut by an invisible tension, with undercurrents swirling in the court and everyone able to feel the impending storm.

The news of Liu Yiju's request to beg for his remains could not be kept secret in the end.

After submitting that memorial on the first night, this Vice Premier seemed determined to retire, submitting at least three memorials requesting retirement every day without fail.

The officials of the Office of Transmission were already used to seeing Liu Yiju's memorial requesting retirement, and could even blurt out the words "Grand Secretary Liu requests retirement" without even opening the letter.

His colleagues in the cabinet were well aware of this, and every day during meetings, Liu Yizhu's freshly written resignation letter would be on his desk. His unwavering determination made it clear to everyone that he was determined to leave.

Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe was quite puzzled by this.

Although Liu Yiju has lost the emperor's favor, he still holds the position of second-highest-ranking official and retains his prestige. Moreover, His Majesty has already cleared his name. Why is he in such a hurry to resign at this time?

During the cabinet meeting, he, as was customary, spoke to persuade the other party to stay:

"Grand Secretary Liu is the foundation of the nation, and many affairs of the court still require his assistance. I hope you will prioritize the well-being of the country and not resign."

But Liu Yijing simply bowed and declined, his tone firm:

"I am old and frail, and I am already overwhelmed. I beg the Grand Secretary to grant my request and allow this old minister to retire to my hometown."

Despite repeated attempts to persuade him to stay and repeated refusals, Liu Yizhu's attitude became increasingly resolute, making the atmosphere within the cabinet quite delicate.

The position of Vice Premier suddenly became vacant, like a piece of fat meat falling into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

In the imperial court, the officials who were qualified to compete for this position began to have their minds racing.

Zhu Guozuo was a highly experienced and respected official. Known for his composure, he was a popular choice among many.

After Ye Xianggao's reinstatement, he was adept at handling affairs, taking into account the interests of all parties, and also gained the support of some members of the Donglin Party, making him a formidable competitor.

Sun Ruyou and Li Ruhua, who were promoted by the emperor, were trusted confidants of the emperor and backed by imperial power. Although they were less experienced, they were by no means without opportunities.

After all, since the implementation of the new policies, the emperor's reliance on his confidants has been evident to all.

Even some less senior cabinet ministers, such as Shi Jikai, were secretly watching and hoping for an opportunity to reap the benefits.

For a time, undercurrents were swirling throughout the imperial court.

Officials secretly colluded, inquired about each other's information, and speculated on the emperor's intentions.

When the cabinet ministers discussed matters, their words became more probing and wary.

The once relatively clear-headed cabinet suddenly became murky, and a power struggle quietly unfolded invisibly.

While the political landscape was shifting dramatically, the scene at the Imperial Examination Hall in the capital was quite different.

The long-awaited imperial examination finally began.

This special imperial examination, announced at the end of last year, has captivated the hearts of candidates across the country.

For nearly half a year, countless candidates for the imperial examinations flocked to Beijing from all directions. Some traveled thousands of miles, while others sold their land to raise enough money for their journey, all in the hope of winning a degree in this special examination.

According to statistics, as many as 5,000 people participated in this special imperial examination, a scale far exceeding that of ordinary examinations, which is enough to show the expectations of scholars across the country for the new policies, or their desire to change their fate.

On the day the gates of the examination hall opened, just as dawn was breaking, the candidates, dressed in plain long gowns and carrying writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, filed in in long lines.

Their faces showed tension and anticipation, and their eyes sparkled with hope for the future.

Inside and outside the examination hall, soldiers patrolled with weapons, maintaining strict vigilance to ensure the fairness and security of the examination.

No one knew that this special imperial examination was far more than just a test for selecting officials for Zhu Youxiao.

The Ming Dynasty never lacked officials.

In the imperial court, there are too many officials, many of whom occupy positions without doing their jobs, and only follow old ways and shirk responsibility.

In the local areas, corrupt officials run rampant, exploiting the people and hindering the new policies.

What Zhu Youxiao truly lacked were officials who dared to act, were capable of acting, were willing to go through fire and water for the new policies, and were absolutely obedient to the emperor's orders.

The old official system has long been bound by various interest groups, most of whom have a "better to do less than more" mentality, and either outwardly comply with the new policies while secretly opposing them, or directly resist them.

To fully implement the new policies and break the old habits, it is necessary to inject fresh blood.

These newly appointed scholars, who came from various regions and had not yet been tainted by the corrupt practices of officialdom, were the most ideal candidates in Zhu Youxiao's eyes.

They have no deep-rooted vested interests or old mindsets. With proper cultivation and guidance, they can become capable assistants in implementing new policies.

They will be dispatched to various places to fill positions in core departments of the new policies, such as the Disaster Relief Department, the Land Clearing Department, and the Sea Opening Department, or to key regions such as Jiangnan and Beizhili, to replace those old officials who were inactive or acted arbitrarily, so that the seeds of the new policies can truly take root at the grassroots level.

This is the deeper meaning behind Zhu Youxiao's special imperial examination.
The imperial examination system selected talented individuals to reform old practices and paved a solid path for the Ming Dynasty's new policies.

The undercurrents of court politics and the hustle and bustle of the examination hall intertwined in the capital.

On one hand, there is a power reshuffling by the old forces, and on the other hand, there is the emergence of new forces.

Zhu Youxiao sat upright in the Qianqing Palace, observing all of this with a cold eye.

Liu Yiju's departure was an inevitable step on the road to the new policies.

The arrival of these newly appointed scholars will be another powerful tool for him to remove obstacles and consolidate his imperial power.

the other side.

The alleys in the south of the city are quiet and secluded. The morning mist has not yet dissipated, giving the bluestone pavement a light dampness.

At the end of the alley, a small courtyard is covered with lush green vines, and a mottled wooden sign that reads "Zhang's Medical Clinic" hangs above the door. The air is filled with a faint scent of herbs, which complements the tranquility of the surroundings.

A figure dressed in a coarse cloth short jacket stopped outside the courtyard; it was none other than Jin Yichuan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was in disguise.

He subconsciously looked around to make sure no one was watching in the alley before gently knocking on the wooden door.

"Knock, buckle, buckle~"

The knocking was crisp and clear, standing out distinctly in the quiet alley.

A moment later, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a pretty little face peeked out from behind it.

The girl's skin was as white as the finest mutton fat jade. She wore a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the hem. Her long, black hair was styled into simple double buns and hung over her shoulders.

Her eyes, clear as a stream and still carrying a touch of childish innocence, lit up instantly upon seeing the person outside the door. Her eyebrows curved into smiles, two shallow dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth, and her tone was filled with undisguised excitement:

"Mr. Jin, you've arrived!"

Her voice was soft, sweet, and clear, like it had been soaked in honey. Her affection for him was overflowing without any attempt to hide it, making her look exactly like a young girl in the throes of first love.

A smile appeared on Jin Yichuan's face, and the usual stern aura he exuded in the Embroidered Uniform Guard camp vanished, leaving only a hint of shyness.

He deliberately cleared his throat, suppressing the pounding in his heart, and feigned composure, saying:

"Ahem, get the medicine."

"Hey!"

Zhang Yan quickly stepped aside, her eyes practically overflowing with joy.

"I'll go call my father right now. Master Jin, come in quickly and get some shelter from the fog!"

Jin Yichuan walked slowly into the courtyard. The bluestone slabs under his feet were wet with morning dew and were slightly slippery when he stepped on them.

Several medicinal herbs were planted in the courtyard, their leaves adorned with glistening dewdrops, and the fragrance of herbs in the air grew even stronger.

He secretly thought to himself that his lung disease was actually almost completely cured.

As for how he recovered, it was because his elder brother, Lu Jianxing, went to great lengths to have the imperial physicians treat and regulate his condition.

In contrast, the effects of using the medicine from Dr. Zhang's clinic were actually mediocre.

But why does he still come here regularly without fail?
The answer is naturally the charming figure in front of me.

Seeing Zhang Yan's smile and hearing her call him "Master Jin" is what he looks forward to most these days.

Upon entering the main room, Jin Yichuan immediately saw Doctor Zhang grinding medicine at his desk.

The old man had half-white hair and beard, wore a plain long gown, and was grinding herbs with a medicine grinder in his hand, making a "crunching" sound. "Greetings, Mr. Zhang."

Jin Yichuan bowed respectfully, his tone humble.

Zhang Yan quickly took his hand, walked to the table, and said to her father in a coquettish tone:
"Father, Master Jin is here! Quickly, take his pulse and prepare his medicine!"

Her fingers were warm and soft, and Jin Yichuan felt a warmth spreading from his fingertips, causing his heart to beat faster.

"Hey~"

Doctor Zhang put down the medicine grinder and sighed helplessly.

He glanced at Jin Yichuan, then looked at his daughter's eyes that were completely fixed on the boy, and a complex feeling welled up in his heart: "My carefully cultivated cabbage is about to be eaten by a pig."

But he knew what his daughter was thinking, so he could only wave to Jin Yichuan.

"come on."

Jin Yichuan stepped forward as instructed and extended his wrist.

Doctor Zhang placed his fingertips on his pulse, closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, then opened them and said in a calm tone:
"Your pulse is steady and strong, and your condition has almost fully recovered. You don't need any more medication. Just rest well and you don't need to come back for more medicine."

"Cough cough!"

Jin Yichuan coughed twice quickly, his eyes darting around, and forced himself to speak:

"Mr. Zhang, you may not know this, but I still feel a bit tightness in my chest, which may be a sign of a relapse. It would be best to take a few more doses of medicine to stabilize the condition."

Doctor Zhang snorted inwardly, thinking to himself that this kid was quite good at making excuses to see his daughter.

But seeing his daughter's pleading look, he ultimately didn't expose her and waved his hand dismissively:

"Then come back for the medicine next time."

After saying that, he turned around and continued grinding the medicine, but unconsciously he used a little more force in his hands.

Seeing this, Zhang Yan quickly pulled Jin Yichuan outside and escorted him to the courtyard gate.

The two stood side by side in the morning mist, looking at each other in silence, yet it seemed as if a thousand words were hidden in their eyes.

As Jin Yichuan looked at her flushed cheeks and smelled the faint herbal scent mixed with the fresh fragrance of a young girl in her hair, his courage gradually gathered in his heart.

Finally, he took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and said in a voice that trembled almost imperceptibly:

"Yan'er, I will come to your house to propose marriage in a few days!"

"what?"

Zhang Yan froze on the spot, her clear eyes wide open, her pretty face instantly flushed red, from her cheeks all the way to her ears, like a ripe cherry.

She covered her face shyly, turned around and ran into the courtyard without answering. Then, with a "bang," the courtyard gate was slammed shut by her.

Jin Yichuan looked at the tightly closed courtyard gate, his heart sank, and he thought to himself:

Does she not want to?

That initial courage vanished instantly, leaving only a heart full of disappointment and unease.

Just as he was feeling lost and dejected, Zhang Yan's voice, tinged with sobs but crystal clear, came from inside the courtyard:
"At that time... I will give you my birth date and time!"

Jin Yichuan was stunned at first, then realized what was happening, and his face instantly lit up with joy.

He was so excited that he waved his arms repeatedly and even spun around on the spot, completely forgetting the feeling of heaviness in his chest.

According to the customs of the Ming Dynasty, after a successful marriage proposal, the woman would write her birth date and time on red paper and give it to the man for compatibility analysis and to choose an auspicious date for the marriage.

Zhang Yan's meaning couldn't be clearer.

She's willing to marry him!

Jin Yichuan was still immersed in the ecstasy of his successful marriage proposal. His steps were light and rhythmic, and her words, "I will give you my birth date and time," kept replaying in his mind. He couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

But he had barely walked twenty steps out of the clinic when a dark figure appeared like a ghost blocking the alleyway, causing his smile to freeze instantly and his expression to change drastically.

In the shadows at the alley entrance, Ding Xiu leaned against the mottled earthen wall, the dark Miao knife on his back swaying gently with his movements, making a soft tinkling sound.

He casually rested his hands on the hilt of the knife, a mocking smile playing on his lips. His eyes swept over Jin Yichuan with a half-smile, his tone tinged with amusement:

"Oh ho ho, our Commander-in-Chief, judging from your smug look, it seems good news is on the way! Congratulations!"

Jin Yichuan's heart sank. He took a half-step back warily, his hand unconsciously reaching for the embroidered spring knife at his waist. His face was extremely grim.
"Ding Xiu, were you following me?"

"It's not really about tracking."

Ding Xiu straightened up, his figure half a head taller than Jin Yichuan's, and approached step by step, his roguish aura mixed with a faint smell of blood wafting over.

"I just happened to be passing by and came to ask the commander for some 'pocket money'."

As he spoke, he opened his palms, palms facing upwards, his eyes revealing undisguised greed.

Jin Yichuan's expression grew increasingly grim.

He and Ding Xiu were fellow disciples, but the person in front of him was the biggest nightmare of his life.

His current identity as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was obtained by impersonating someone else's official title. Ding Xiu had this secret in his hands, which became the handle that the other party used to blackmail him repeatedly.

Over the years, he had been harassed by Ding Xiu to the point of despair, yet he dared not speak out against it.

"Give."

Jin Yichuan gritted his teeth, took out a heavy purse from his pocket, poured out ten taels of silver, and slapped it heavily into Ding Xiu's palm.

The silver felt cold to the touch, yet it caused a sharp pain in his heart.

This was money he had saved by living frugally.

Ding Xiu weighed the silver in his palm, making a crisp clinking sound, but the smile on his face faded slightly. He raised an eyebrow and said:
"Not enough! The Commander is getting married soon, we need to add more money! What can this little bit of silver even buy?"

"you!"

Jin Yichuan was so angry that his chest tightened and he almost coughed.

His annual salary was less than sixty taels, and he had to give Ding Xiu ten taels of "filial piety money" every month. If it weren't for the many merits he had made with Shen Lian and Lu Jianxing over the years, the rewards he had received, and the occasional gray income, he wouldn't have been able to come up with even ten taels of silver, let alone propose marriage.

“I really have no money!”

"No money?"

Ding Xiu chuckled, his eyes suddenly turning sinister.

"Does the Commander-in-Chief not want to give it to us?"
You've forgotten, I could reveal your identity with just a word.

The Grand Commander of the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard was actually an imposter?
If this gets back to Governor Wei's ears, and then to the Emperor, tell me, how many heads do you think you have to lose?

These words were like a sharp knife, stabbing Jin Yichuan hard in his weak spot.

His face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled, and after much deliberation, he had no choice but to pull out another five taels of silver from his pocket, saying almost through gritted teeth:

"That's really all, that's all!"

Ding Xiu took the silver and casually tossed it into the cloth bag at his waist, but he was still not satisfied.

His gaze swept across the room, recalling the glimpse of Zhang Yan he had caught outside the clinic earlier. A malicious smile crept across his lips, and he clicked his tongue twice.
"That female healer from earlier was really beautiful! Fair skin, charming eyes, and so smooth!"

"you dare!"

Upon hearing this, Jin Yichuan became agitated. His eyes turned bloodshot, and he clenched his fists tightly, unleashing a burst of murderous aura.

Zhang Yan is his weakness, someone he would protect with his life, yet Ding Xiu dares to make a move on her!

"Don't worry."

Ding Xiu waved his hand, his tone full of provocation.

"I was just saying it casually, but... if the Commander isn't 'generous' enough, who knows, I might not be able to resist visiting Miss Zhang at the clinic one day?"

Jin Yichuan trembled all over, both from anger and fear.

He knew Ding Xiu too well; this man was capable of anything.

In order to protect Zhang Yan, he had no choice but to compromise.

He took a deep breath, practically spitting out the words through gritted teeth, and then pulled out the last five taels of silver from his pocket, slamming them down on Ding Xiu:

"It's really gone! This is the money I saved for my marriage proposal. If you keep pushing me, I'll fight to the death!"

Twenty taels of silver was the limit for him.

Ding Xiu weighed the silver in his hand, a satisfied smile finally appearing on his face. He put the silver away, patted Jin Yichuan on the shoulder, and said in an extremely irritating tone:
"Wouldn't it have been better to do this sooner? Don't worry, I'll live off your secret for the rest of my life. When you're rich in the future, remember to 'pay your respects' to me anytime, otherwise..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but left behind endless threats.

Jin Yichuan looked at Ding Xiu's smug expression, his chest heaving violently, his eyes filled with deep anger and helplessness.

"I'm leaving!"

Jin Yichuan staggered as he turned around, as if a raging flood was chasing him, wishing he could disappear into the alley immediately.

He always avoided his senior brother Ding Xiu like the plague, feeling uncomfortable even for a moment longer, and only hoping that the other party would leave as soon as possible.

"Don't run away in such a hurry."

Ding Xiu slowly shook the Miao sword in his hand, the copper rings on the scabbard clinking together, a hint of mockery in his voice.

"There is one more small matter that I would like to trouble you with, Commander."

"What else do you want to do?"

Jin Yichuan suddenly turned around, his brows furrowed, his face flushed red, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, looking just like a rabbit that had been provoked.

"Ding Xiu, don't push your luck! Twenty taels of silver is already my limit!"

Seeing his junior brother jumping up and down, Ding Xiu's smile deepened, feeling quite pleased. He took two steps forward and lowered his voice, saying:
"You're in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so you must have some way of getting information from Wang Haoxian in Jiangnan, right?"

"Wang Haoxian?"

Jin Yichuan's pupils contracted slightly, his anger instantly froze, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.

He paused for a moment, then reacted, his tone tinged with a hint of probing:

"You're after that 100,000 taels of reward money?"

Three days ago, the imperial edict from the Qianqing Palace spread throughout the capital. The emperor offered a reward of 100,000 taels of silver for the head of Wang Haoxian, which shocked the court and the public. From princes and nobles to beggars on the street, everyone knew about it.

Unexpectedly, even his money-loving senior brother had his eye on it.

"good."

Ding Xiu licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with the greed of money, and patted the Miao sword at his waist.

“I’ve been haggling with you for ages, you miser, and I only managed to get twenty taels. Killing Wang Haoxian would get me a hundred thousand taels. This deal is much more profitable than extorting you. It’s worth the gamble.”

"Are you crazy?"

Jin Yichuan quickly tried to dissuade him, his face showing a serious expression.

"Wang Haoxian commands tens of thousands of rebel troops, as well as a 5,000-strong elite old camp. He is also the leader of the Fragrance Sect, with deep roots and many guards around him. He is not so easy to kill!"

Going alone is practically a death sentence for you!

"how?"

Ding Xiu raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a half-smile.

"Junior brother, are you worried about me?"

Jin Yichuan muttered to himself:
It's good that this madman died in Jiangnan, so he won't bother me every day, and it will eliminate any future trouble.

But the words that came out were a curt, unyielding statement:
"I just didn't want you to die an unjust death, tarnishing the reputation of our sect."

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."

Ding Xiu dropped his joking expression and his tone became more serious.

"I am not going alone this time. My master, Ding Tai, Ding Chong and the others will also be going together."

Our mission is ostensibly to eliminate treacherous officials and rid the country of a scourge; the 100,000 taels of silver is merely a bonus.

Jin Yichuan's heart stirred.

He was well aware of how formidable his master, Ding Baiying, was.

He was the true successor of the Qi family's swordsmanship, wielding the Miao sword with unparalleled skill. His Ding family disciples were all highly skilled, having roamed the martial world for years, and were decisive in their killings, even more ferocious than ordinary elite government troops.

With the entire Ding family mobilized, it might actually be possible to take Wang Haoxian's life.

He pondered for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

If he could use Ding's family to get rid of Wang Haoxian, it would be a great achievement. Moreover, if Ding Xiu could really get the reward money, perhaps he would stop extorting him so frequently in the future.

Thinking of this, he nodded, his tone sincere:
"Okay, I will do my best to gather information for you. I will find a way to inform you of any new military intelligence."

Ding Xiu waved his hand with satisfaction, turned to leave, but stopped after taking two steps, turned back and gave a word of advice:

"Hurry up, we're setting off south in three days, don't let this cause any problems."

"I see."

Jin Yichuan nodded, watching Ding Xiu's figure gradually disappear at the end of the alley.

His mood grew heavy. He both hoped that Ding Xiu would die in Jiangnan and end it all, and he also had a vague feeling that Ding's attack might really achieve great success.

Jin Yichuan stood there, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Five days later.

The city of Suzhou was shrouded in a somber atmosphere.

The Ming army flags on the city walls fluttered in the wind, and the military camps below stretched for miles, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys, yet they could not conceal the tension of the battle.

Inside Yuan Keli's central command tent, candlelight blazed brightly, and a map of Jiangnan lay spread out on the table, densely covered with red dots marking the movements of the rebel army, the ink still wet.

"Report!"

A guard rushed into the tent, holding a tightly sealed letter in both hands, and bowed, reporting:
"His Majesty's secret letter has arrived!"

Yuan Keli was dressed in a scarlet official robe, with a thin face but sharp eyes like an eagle.

He stood solemnly to receive the letter, unfolded the secret letter and studied it carefully, his face remaining expressionless, except for a slight pause on the words "execute Wang Haoxian and severely damage his old camp".

After reading the secret letter, he handed it to Zhang Weixian, the Duke of England, who was standing next to him.

Dressed in armor and with a sword at his waist, Zhang Weixian, as a representative of the Ming Dynasty's nobles, led troops to assist Yuan Keli in suppressing the rebellion, and his actions were always decisive.

He took the secret letter, quickly glanced through it, frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice:

"His Majesty has made up his mind. It seems we must speed up our advance."

Yuan Keli nodded slowly.

"The defeat at Changxing resulted in the loss of 5,000 government troops, which made His Majesty realize the threat posed by Wang Haoxian."

That old battalion of five thousand men was the foundation of his chaotic army. Forged in the crucible of war, it had become an elite force; if left unchecked, it risked becoming too powerful to control.

"only……"

Yuan Keli changed the subject, a hint of difficulty appearing on his face.

"Land surveying, pacifying displaced people, and integrating local militias—these are all crucial tasks for controlling Jiangnan, and they all require time to refine and cannot be rushed."

To rashly send the entire army south to pursue and annihilate them now would likely contradict His Majesty's long-term plan to control the Jiangnan region.

The tent fell silent for a moment, with only the crackling of the candlelight.

Yuan Keli's words are true.

Since taking over Suzhou and Songjiang, he has begun to implement new policies.

Land that had been concealed by gentry was surveyed and registered to supplement the national treasury.

They gathered the displaced people and distributed grain seeds to stabilize public morale.

To unite local loyalists and integrate the scattered garrison troops and village militia, thus securing the region.

But each of these tasks requires manpower and time.

Currently, his government troops are both stationed in the areas they have recovered and guard against counterattacks by rebel forces. The number of troops that can be dispatched to pursue and suppress them is already limited, let alone the manpower to be allocated to promote local governance.

Zhang Weixian naturally understood the difficulties involved. He walked to the map and pointed to the location of Huzhou Prefecture:

"His Majesty is afraid of raising a tiger that will become a threat. Wang Haoxian was able to defeat Zhou Xianzong in Changxing, which shows that his old camp is fierce. In addition, with the instigation of the Wenxiang Sect, if he is allowed to gain a foothold in Huzhou and recruit more soldiers, the cost of annihilating him in the future will only be greater."

"Does Lord Yuan not intend to send troops?"

Zhang Weixian turned to look at Yuan Keli, his tone tinged with a hint of probing.

"Of course we must send troops; killing the enemy is our priority!"

Yuan Keli spoke decisively, his eyes becoming resolute.

"His Majesty has already made it clear in his secret letter that there is no need to be obsessed with recovering lost territory this time. We only need to find an opportunity to kill the enemy's main force and the key is to destroy his old camp and get rid of Wang Haoxian."

"In this way, we will not need to divide our troops to guard the newly recovered territories, and we can concentrate our elite forces to find the enemy and fight them. The burden on the government troops will be much lighter, and we will be able to find opportunities to fight more quickly."

Upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashed in Zhang Weixian's eyes:
“What Lord Yuan said is absolutely right! As long as we kill Wang Haoxian and scatter his old camp, the rest of the rebel army is nothing but a rabble and is not worth fearing.”

Yuan Keli sighed softly, his gaze returning to the Jiangnan region on the map:

"Forget it, taking control of Jiangnan is a long-term plan that needs to be implemented gradually, and it can't be rushed."

"Right now, we must eliminate this cancerous growth, Wang Haoxian, and clear the obstacles to the war effort so that subsequent governance can proceed more smoothly."

He raised his hand and pointed to the border between Jiaxing and Huzhou on the map.

"Pass down the order: immediately integrate elite forces, abandon some secondary strongholds, and assemble the entire army towards Huzhou."

"Order scouts to search far and wide, and make sure to pinpoint the exact location of Wang Haoxian's old camp. When the time is right, we will launch a full-scale encirclement and completely eradicate him!"

"Follow the order!"

Zhang Weixian clasped his hands in acceptance of the order and turned to leave to make arrangements.

"Please wait, British Duke."

Yuan Keli stopped him and added:

"Wang Haoxian's old camp is fierce and brave, so we must not underestimate them. Order all camps to prepare more firearms and crossbows, and when encountering the enemy, first wear them down with ranged attacks, and then engage them in close combat."

In addition, closely monitor local developments to prevent the gentry of Jiangnan from secretly funding the mutinous army.

"Rest assured, Lord Yuan!"

Zhang Weixian nodded in agreement and strode out of the central command tent.

Outside the tent, the sound of bugles suddenly rang out, spreading throughout the military camp. The Ming soldiers moved at the sound, packing their belongings and organizing their weapons. The sounds of footsteps and the clanging of armor mingled together, forming a torrent rushing to the battlefield.

Yuan Keli stood alone in front of the map, gazing in the direction of Huzhou Prefecture, his brows still furrowed.

This decisive battle was not only to kill Wang Haoxian, but also to consolidate the Ming Dynasty's rule in Jiangnan.

Killing the bandits was only the first step; the real test lay in governing Jiangnan after the war.

But for now, he can only concentrate all his efforts on winning this tough battle to clear obstacles for future plans.

(End of this chapter)