Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Fifteen minutes later, Fan Guang, Han Cheng, and Shen Yi entered the signing room one after another.

Wu Ning explained the situation to the three men, and finally said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, the matter is urgent, and we must act as soon as possible."

Fan Guang immediately said in a deep voice, "Governor Wu, what do you suggest? I'll listen to you."

Han Cheng nodded emphatically: "Yes, we'll follow your orders."

Shen Yi looked troubled: "It's just that the two hundred guards we brought are being watched too closely; they'll be discovered if they make a move."

These past few days, there's been a constant stream of people outside the inn.

Wu Ning said slowly, "The guards cannot be moved, but other people can be used."

He took out a bronze plaque from his sleeve and placed it on the table: "This is the token left by Eunuch Cheng from the Eastern Depot."

The Eastern Depot had over thirty agents in Ganzhou, half of whom were former members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

These people haven't been exposed; they can be used.

Shen Yi's eyes lit up: "Those spies can indeed come in handy."

Wu Ning looked at Fan Guang and Han Cheng: "General Fan, Deputy General Han, you two have the most important tasks."

Ren Li's side...

Fan Guang interrupted him directly: "Governor Wu, leave Ren Li to me."

I'll go to the General's residence first thing tomorrow morning and see how long he can keep stalling."

Wu Ning shook his head: "No, not tomorrow morning, but tonight."

Fan Guang was startled: "Tonight?"

Wu Ning nodded: "Yes, tonight."

I just had someone send a letter to Ren Li.

He said I had urgent military business to discuss with him.

Please ask him to come to the Governor's Office tonight.

If he comes, we'll take him down right here.

If he doesn't come...

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes: "If he doesn't come, it means he's already colluded with Wang Jing and the others."

Then we'll have to use the second option.

Fan Guang frowned and asked, "Will Ren Li come?"

He's been pretending to be sick and avoiding people these past few days.

Even I was kept out.

Wu Ning said, "He will come."

Because my letter said that the Oirat were making unusual moves.

We need this veteran to discuss countermeasures.

He is the commander-in-chief. Even if he doesn't want to see me, he can't refuse important military matters.

Besides, he's confident that we wouldn't dare do anything to him, given that he's been operating in Ganzhou for thirteen years.

Fan Guang thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, I'll stay here tonight. If he comes, I'll take him down myself."

Wu Ning then said, "Deputy Commander Han, take half of the Eastern Depot's men and keep an eye on Wang Jing and Ma Ang's residences."

If the General's Mansion makes any move, they might resort to desperate measures.

All you have to do is stop them.

Don't let them escape, and don't let them get reinforcements from the barracks outside the city.

Han Cheng grinned: "Don't worry, they can't escape. I've been wanting to teach those bastards a lesson for a long time."

Wu Ning finally looked at Shen Yi: "Lord Shen, I'm entrusting the governor's office to you."

Master Zhou and his men must stay in the yamen tonight to "organize the accounts".

Go and guard the area yourself, and immediately send a signal if anything changes.

Shen Yi nodded solemnly: "I understand."

After discussing it, the four of them went their separate ways.

At the fourth watch of the night, Ganzhou City was completely silent.

The streets were deserted, with only the occasional watchman passing by, striking his clapper.

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, even the dogs were too lazy to bark.

The gates of the General's Mansion suddenly opened, and a group of people filed out.

The leader, riding a tall horse, was none other than Ren Li.

His face was expressionless at that moment.

These days he has been claiming illness and has not left his home, not even seeing Fan Guang.

But Wu Ning's letter tonight forced him to come out.

Is the Oirat showing any unusual activity?

He spent thirteen years in Ganzhou and knew the ins and outs of the grasslands better than anyone.

According to his experience, the Oirat people would be hiding in tents to survive the winter during this season, and they would not even kill their cattle and sheep. Where would they get the strength to go south?

But since the governor had invited him, he had to give him face.

After all, Wu Ning was an imperial envoy sent by the court, so he still had to put on a show of politeness.

Besides, he also wanted to see what Wu Ning was really up to.

He's been dragging his feet on handing things over these past few days; those guys from Beijing must be getting impatient by now.

Tonight is a good time to go and investigate.

Ren Li was followed by more than twenty personal guards, each with a sword at his waist and a wary look in their eyes.

These were all old men who had followed him for many years and were extremely loyal.

The Governor's Office is not far ahead; just turn the corner and you'll arrive.

At the street corner, a dark figure silently watched the group pass by before quietly disappearing into the night.

Those were spies from the Eastern Depot.

Inside the Governor's Office, Fan Guang stood behind the door of the signing room, holding his breath.

Wu Ning sat behind his desk, with an official document spread out in front of him.

He appeared to be reviewing documents, but in reality, he was constantly listening to the sounds outside the door.

Everyone else had hidden in the backyard.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a knock: "Governor Wu, it is Ren who has come to visit."

Wu Ning and Fan Guang exchanged a glance, then got up and opened the door.

Ren Li stood outside the door, followed by a group of personal guards.

Wu Ning cupped his hands and smiled, "General Ren has come to visit in the dead of night. I am sorry for not being able to greet you properly."

Ren Li glanced at him and smiled, "Governor Wu, you're too kind."

Having heard of unusual activity from the Oirat Mongols, how could I, Ren, dare not come?

only……"

He turned to look at his personal guards behind him: "These personal guards of mine have followed me for many years and never left my side."

"If Governor Wu doesn't mind, how about letting them wait in the courtyard?"

Wu Ning's smile remained unchanged as he nodded and said, "Of course, of course. General Ren, please come in, let's talk inside."

Ren Li stepped into the courtyard, followed by more than twenty guards who stood in the courtyard.

They quickly took up advantageous positions, their eyes scanning their surroundings warily.

Wu Ning led Ren Li into the signing room.

After the door closed, Ren Li sat down in a chair and asked with a smile, "Governor Wu, has the Oirat made any unusual moves?"

He could tell as soon as he got to the door.

All the talk of unusual activity by the Oirat Mongols is false.

If the Oirat were to make a move, how could this mansion be so quiet?

There wasn't even a messenger.

This made Ren Li even more curious about what the governor was going to do tonight.

Wu Ning did not answer, but slowly walked behind the desk and sat down, looking at him.

"General Ren, let's speak frankly. We invited you here tonight not to discuss the Oirat matter."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a person suddenly appeared from behind the door—it was Fan Guang.

Ren Li's pupils suddenly contracted: "General Fan? What are you doing here?"

Fan Guang did not answer, but just stared at him coldly.

Wu Ning slowly spoke: "General Ren, you have been in Ganzhou for thirteen years."

In these thirteen years, you have made contributions and received rewards.

The imperial court has treated you well.

But tell me yourself, how well have you handled your duties over the years?

Ren Li's face turned ashen. He abruptly stood up and demanded sharply, "Governor Wu, what do you mean by that?"

Wu Ning picked up a document from the table, unfolded it, and placed it on the table: "This is the Ministry of Revenue's list of military farms."

The record clearly states that Ganzhou Garrison should have 120,000 mu of farmland.

However, after investigating these past few days, General Fan found that the actual registered farmland was less than 70,000 mu.

Where did those 50,000 mu go?