Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 281 My Zhang family doesn't need another memorial tablet.

The capital city, the British Duke's residence.

The night is dark and everything is silent.

While ordinary mansions were already dimly lit, the study of Duke Zhang Weixian of England was brightly lit.

The person in the main seat was Duke Zhang Weixian of England. He was dressed in plain clothes, and although his beard and hair were already in his fifties, his back was still straight as a pine tree.

But those eyes, which had seen all the world's ups and downs, were now filled with an unyielding worry. His fingers unconsciously caressed the unicorn carving on the arm of the chair, while his gaze was fixed on a wisp of straight green smoke, as if trying to glean a glimpse of the secrets of heaven from its changing form.

Four people were seated to his left and right.

They are all among the most outstanding nobles who were the first to decide to follow the new emperor.

They were either descendants of dukes or held the position of imperial guards, and at this moment, without exception, all of them had solemn expressions.

A long silence filled the hall. Finally, the youngest nobleman couldn't hold back any longer. He shifted his body, cupped his hands, and said in a low voice, "Lord Duke, gentlemen, His Majesty's tour of Jiangnan has lasted for over three months. Although the official reports are all of good news,... Jiangnan is a land of gentry, deeply entrenched and powerful, with undercurrents that we in the capital cannot even imagine. His Majesty's safety is truly the foundation of our Great Ming Dynasty, and the honor and disgrace of our entire families!"

These words were like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, causing everyone's hearts to sink.

Yes, this was the most terrifying sword hanging over their heads—the safety of the emperor.

From the moment the emperor left the capital for the south, these nobles, regarded by the court and the public as part of the emperor's faction, have not been able to sleep soundly for a single day.

They knew better than anyone that the peace of the capital, the safety of their residences, and even the lives of their heads and the survival of their families all depended on the young emperor who was thousands of miles away.

While the emperor was alive, they were the meritorious officials who revived the dynasty and the pillars who shared the fate of the country.

If the emperor were to suffer even the slightest mishap… Zhang Weixian didn’t even dare to think about the consequences.

The civil officials in the capital who were suffocating under the emperor's oppression, the imperial family members who were resentful of the reduction of the power of the princes, the unruly and arrogant soldiers and generals in the border towns, the Later Jin who were eyeing the country from beyond the Great Wall, and the Mongol tribes on the grasslands who were hesitant and indecisive... all these forces would instantly transform into a pack of hungry wolves that smelled blood!
This great Ming Dynasty, its new policies, its new army, its new atmosphere—all of it will be fleeting moments.

Zhang Weixian slowly withdrew his gaze, scanned the crowd, and said in a hoarse and heavy voice, "Be careful what you say. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and is naturally protected by Heaven."

Even so, the worry in his eyes deepened, more so than comforting others.

Another nobleman, with graying hair and a more mature and prudent demeanor, sighed and took over the conversation:
"Your Majesty's safety is of utmost importance. However, the ferocity of Your Majesty's actions in Jiangnan is unprecedented. The pacification of the Confucius Mansion in Qufu caused the hearts of scholars throughout the land to tremble; the execution of Prince Fu and the abolition of his ancestral rites caused the imperial family members throughout the land to tremble; as for Songjiang, Suzhou, and Nanjing, in just a few months, heads rolled and blood flowed like rivers."

The forceful implementation of the "unified grain payment" system, the complete annihilation of the salt merchants of Jiangnan... each and every one of these actions is tantamount to seeking favors from a tiger, and making enemies of the powerful families of the land. Although we know these are swift and decisive measures to restore order, the use of such excessive force is unacceptable.

This was the second major obstacle weighing on their minds—the intensity of the new policies.

The emperor's sword was too fast and too sharp.

As they approached, their followers, still holding their scabbards, felt a chill run down their spines.

However, they could still understand the emperor's "suppression of Buddhism" in Nanjing, which had just been reported to the capital.

After all, when the emperor asked these nobles to "donate" Buddhist temple lands to replenish the imperial treasury, they complied despite the pain in their hearts.

This move undoubtedly severed the roots of all temples in the country, and was consistent with the emperor's actions in Jiangnan, both of which were aimed at forcefully accumulating wealth and enriching the national treasury.

But what they care about most, and what confuses them the most, is the military.

As hereditary military meritors of the Ming Dynasty, they witnessed firsthand how the once glorious military might of their ancestors gradually degenerated into its current weak and ineffective state.

The Tumu Crisis was like a lingering nightmare, deeply imprinted on the very bones of the nobility.

They held the titles of Duke and Marquis in vain, yet their garrison in the capital couldn't even defeat bandits. The shame and helplessness they felt were beyond words.

Now, the emperor is personally reorganizing the capital garrison and training the new army day and night.

The new army's appearance, discipline, and equipment were vastly different from those of the past, a truly impressive sight.

But... apart from the trip to Shaanxi, the rest were soldiers who had never been on the battlefield. Theoretical knowledge is ultimately insufficient. Can an army that has not been baptized in blood and fire truly shoulder great responsibilities?
Zhang Weixian's gaze fell on a bow case hanging on the wall. It was his grandfather's heirloom, and traces of past battles were still faintly visible on the bow case.

A burning shame welled up in his heart. His ancestors had followed Emperor Chengzu on five expeditions to the northern deserts. How magnificent they were!
Meanwhile, their descendants could only remain in the capital, worrying about the emperor's safety and the success or failure of the new policies.

The hall fell into a suffocating silence once again, with only the smoke from the benzoin incense stubbornly rising straight up.

In the midst of this tense atmosphere, there was a gentle knock on the study door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The sound wasn't loud, but it made all five people in the hall tremble and look towards the door.

Zhang Weixian's heart was in his throat.

At this hour, the only person who could bypass layers of guards and knock directly on his study door was the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was specifically responsible for emergency communication between him and the emperor.

Is it a blessing or a curse?
"Come in." Zhang Weixian's voice trembled slightly, a tremor he himself was unaware of.

The door creaked open, and a commander of the Imperial Guards, dressed in a flying fish robe, stepped inside.

Shen Lian was not fortunate enough to accompany the emperor on his southward journey. Instead, he was ordered to remain in the capital to secretly protect Xu Guangqi, Song Yingxing, and other key officials of the new policies, and to act as the most confidential liaison between the emperor and the Duke of Ying.

He was travel-worn, but his steps were steady, and his sharp, eagle-like eyes gleamed with an irrepressible shrewdness.

After he entered, his gaze quickly swept over everyone in the hall, finally settling on Zhang Weixian.

Shen Lian was known for his calm and composed demeanor, but at this moment he deliberately suppressed his emotions. He clasped his hands and bowed, trying to make his voice sound serious and steady, but the joy that came from the bottom of his heart was like magma about to erupt, which could not be hidden.

"Reporting to the Duke of Ying!" Shen Lian's voice was deep, yet each word was like a bell, "A great victory!"

The assembled dignitaries were momentarily speechless.

"His Majesty's edict to pacify the barbarians has arrived in the capital! This is a copy, which I have been ordered to present to the Duke immediately!"

After saying this, he took out a scroll of documents wrapped tightly in oiled paper from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

Zhang Weixian suddenly stood up, took a few steps forward and took the document from Shen Lian's hand, took a deep breath and slowly unfolded the copied imperial edict.

For a moment, the only sounds in the study were the rustling of unfolding paper and the heavy, bellows-like breathing of everyone.

Zhang Weixian's gaze slowly moved downwards, starting from the first character of the imperial edict and proceeding word by word.

His lips moved slightly, as if he were reciting something silently.

The rest of the people in the hall craned their necks, staring intently at Zhang Weixian's face, not daring to make a sound for fear of disturbing him.

They watched the Duke's expression change from initial tension to incredulous astonishment, then to wide-eyed shock, and finally, the muscles on his weathered face began to twitch uncontrollably.

The edict was short, but Zhang Weixian read it for a very long time, as if each word weighed a ton. When his gaze fell on the end of the edict and he saw the two characters "钦此" (Imperial Decree) written in a bold and elegant style, the whole world seemed to stand still at that moment.

Zhang Weixian, an old duke who had seen many ups and downs in the court and experienced the rise and fall of three dynasties, suddenly opened his eyes wide, and his eyes quickly filled with turbid tears. The tears rolled down the wrinkles on his face, but he was completely unaware of it.

After a brief silence, an emotion that had been suppressed to the extreme finally erupted like a volcano!

"Ah—hahaha! Hahahahaha!"

Zhang Weixian slammed his palm on the long sandalwood table beside him, making a loud "bang" that sent teacups flying.

He raised his head and let out a deafening laugh at the roof beam. The laughter was initially tinged with a sob, but then it became incredibly joyful, filled with ecstasy and release, and finally, it turned into a shout to the heavens.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty is truly a man of unparalleled talent and divine wisdom! Your strategies are so far-reaching, so incredibly profound!!"

He laughed while tears streamed down his face, appearing almost insane.

The others in the hall were initially startled by his sudden outburst, but then, from his ecstatic laughter and the phrase "divinely gifted and mighty," they instantly understood the weight of the edict's contents!
Shen Lian could no longer maintain his seriousness; a bright smile bloomed on his face, and he straightened his chest with pride.

The others immediately crowded around as well. When they saw the contents of the edict, they all gasped in shock, and their faces showed the same ecstasy and shock as Zhang Weixian's.

This victory came at the perfect time, was so important, and was just too... incredible!
It was like the most dazzling lightning bolt, piercing through the gloom that shrouded everyone's heads, and proclaiming to the whole world, to all those who were watching, questioning, or even hostile, an undeniable fact—the emperor's path was correct!
Internally, he implemented new policies, resulting in mass killings in Jiangnan, silencing the gentry and wealthy families, and filling the national treasury day by day.

Externally, he expanded the borders and conquered countries, fighting fiercely and achieving great success in one battle, fully demonstrating the divine might of the Celestial Empire!

With sound domestic policies and victories in foreign wars, we advanced on two fronts and achieved complete success on both fronts!
Zhang Weixian slowly stopped laughing. He wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve, feeling as if the pent-up frustration in his chest that had been building up for months had been swept away. He slowly straightened up.

His back had never been so straight as it was at this moment!
Zhang Weixian surveyed the crowd, his voice booming like a bell: "From this day forward, within and outside the court, who dares to say His Majesty's actions are rash? Who dares to question the new policies being too extreme? Who dares to speak recklessly about His Majesty's southward journey?!"

He paused, his tone filled with unprecedented confidence and pride.

"This battle embodies the greatest truth! This victory is the strongest punch!"

The emperor's earth-shattering victory reassured his followers.

Zhang Weixian changed the subject and asked Shen Lian with concern, "Commander Shen, are Ministers Xu Yingxing and others still safe and sound?"

Shen Lian immediately understood and solemnly replied, "Your Highness, all is well. I have already increased manpower to protect you day and night, and will not allow any villains to take advantage of the situation. With this great victory, I expect those underhanded tricks should also cease."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Weixian finally breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, I'm relieved now. You may leave. You've had a hard night."

"This humble servant takes his leave." Shen Lian bowed again, turned and left the study, gently closing the door behind him.

……

The door closed again, but the atmosphere inside the hall had completely changed.

The previous solemnity and deathly silence were replaced by a fiery and uplifting emotion.

However, amidst this wave of ecstatic excitement, Zhang Weixian's gaze gradually calmed down.

Looking at his equally excited colleagues, a sharp question struck him like a bucket of cold water.

The emperor's authority was as firm as Mount Tai, but... did these hereditary nobles really keep up with the emperor's pace?

Zhang Weixian took a deep breath, and the lingering scent of benzoin seemed to become exceptionally refreshing and invigorating.

He walked up to those people, his expression extremely solemn.

"Please, everyone, have a seat."

Seeing his unusual expression, everyone suppressed their joy and sat down as instructed, their eyes all focused on the Duke of England.

Zhang Weixian slowly paced back and forth, saying, "His Majesty has achieved tremendous success and stabilized the situation. We can certainly celebrate this. But have you considered what will happen next?"

"And then?" The marquis who had rushed forward earlier asked, somewhat puzzled.

“His Majesty is like a divine dragon in the heavens, controlling clouds and rain, unpredictable and ever-changing. We can still cheer for him today, but what about tomorrow? When His Majesty needs claws and fangs to fight alongside him in the sky, what can we... offer?” Zhang Weixian’s gaze swept over everyone present, including himself.

“My son,” he chuckled self-deprecatingly, a bitter tinge in his voice, “is a military officer in the capital garrison, a position that sounds prestigious. Yet, since the new army began its reorganization, has he ever seen a real battlefield? Even during this cleansing of Jiangnan, with heads rolling in, His Majesty did not send him. Why is that?”

Before anyone could answer, he said, “It’s not that His Majesty doesn’t want to use me, but that His Majesty is showing me mercy because of my old face and my old bones! This is a grace, but in the long run, it’s also poison! What kind of general is a general who has never seen blood? How long can a nobleman who can only live off his ancestors’ blessings and His Majesty’s grace last?”

These words resonated with everyone.

Yes, aren't most of their children like that?

He served as a low-ranking military officer in the Beijing garrison, training every day, but never truly facing life and death.

Compared to those fierce border generals who crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, what are they?
The previously worried, seasoned nobleman turned pale and murmured, "What the Duke means is..."

“I understand what you all mean!” Zhang Weixian’s tone became resolute. “His Majesty is going to reshape the world this time! Civil officials need to be used, and military merits need to be used even more! However, those His Majesty will use will be generals who can fight and soldiers who are good at fighting, not us hereditary ministers who only know how to eat our ancestors’ salaries and enjoy wealth and honor in the capital!”

He walked to the window, pushed it open, and a dry night breeze blew in.

Looking into the deep night, Zhang Weixian seemed to see the flames of war and hope burning across the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty.

"I've made up my mind!"

He turned around abruptly and said, “All the sons in my family who are sixteen years old and still in good health, regardless of whether they are legitimate or illegitimate children, should be sent out! The navy is newly established and lacks manpower, so send them to the navy! The northern border army is constantly fighting against the Mongols and the Later Jin, and lacks daredevils, so send them to the border army!”

"Let them go! Let them experience real combat! Let them smell real blood! Let them see a real mountain of dead men!"

"If we truly sacrifice ourselves for the Ming Dynasty, dying on the battlefield, then we will have lived up to the expectations of our ancestors and His Majesty! My Zhang family has no shortage of such a memorial tablet!"

"If we can truly fight our way to the top and earn our own fame and fortune, then this family business can be considered to have been truly passed down! Only then can the reputation of the Duke of Ying's mansion be considered to have been properly preserved!"

Zhang Weixian's words grew increasingly forceful and resolute.

"Gentlemen, think this through! The Emperor's vision has long since moved beyond the small territory of the capital! He is eyeing the entire world, the vast and turbulent seas, and the frozen borderlands beyond the Great Wall! Military generals are about to truly rise above their station! If we continue to cling to the achievements of our ancestors, it will only be a matter of time before His Majesty leaves us behind!"

The hall was deathly silent.

The faces of those in the hall flushed red and then turned pale. Zhang Weixian's words, though harsh, were like a wake-up call, a profound and resounding revelation.

After a long while, the impatient marquis gritted his teeth, stood up, and bowed deeply to Zhang Weixian: "Your Excellency's words are invaluable! I understand! Tomorrow I will tie up those two good-for-nothings in my family and take them to Tianjin, to study them to death at the naval academy, so that they may die on a Ming warship!"

“Excellent!” The seasoned nobleman also stood up abruptly. “My grandson boasts of his skill in archery and horsemanship, so let him go to Liaodong and let those Tartars test his mettle!”

Everyone echoed his sentiments, their eyes no longer showing the previous worry or the ecstasy, but rather a resolute determination to burn their bridges!
(End of this chapter)