Chaos of Ming 1628

It was already May of the second year of the Chongzhen reign.

Bo Yu's research was well-organized, but some of the materials were rather rare, so Sun Qing returned to Hejian Prefecture again.

Firstly, we need to find materials, and secondly, we have a lot of things in Hejian Prefecture that we need to bring over.

It is perfectly reasonable for him to return to Hejian Prefecture to fetch his wife and children.

The national treasury was increasingly surprised, and Yuan Chonghuan had sent word early on that he wanted to come to Pi Island.

Mao Wenlong had disobeyed Yuan Chonghuan's orders multiple times, and he knew perfectly well what his purpose was in coming this time.

He also brought more than twenty trusted generals, who stood in neat rows.

"I am deeply sorry for not being able to greet you properly, Commander Yuan." Mao Wenlong cupped his hands in greeting, his voice neither loud nor soft. "The island is simple, please forgive me, Commander Yuan."

Yuan Chonghuan disembarked: "Marshal Mao, you are too kind. I have come here for two reasons: to inspect the troops and to reward them. The soldiers on the island have worked hard, and I have brought some provisions as a token of my appreciation."

In the past, Mao Wenlong would have been overjoyed.

After all, military pay and provisions are what are most needed, but now, they are no longer important.

Zhao Long remained on the island and became anxious when he saw Yuan Chonghuan arrive.

He hurriedly reminded him from the side, "Lord Mao, Young Master Sun specifically instructed us before he left that we must not associate with this person, and we must not let him come to the island."

"I know what he's thinking," Mao Wenlong said, ultimately too arrogant. "I know what's going on in my head."

"I understand Yuan Chonghuan's purpose and know how to deal with it."

After saying that, his eyes turned cold, and he warned sternly, "Don't meddle in other people's business anymore."

Having said that, he approached Yuan Chonghuan again, then turned and led the way.

Yuan Chonghuan secretly intercepted his memorials sent to the capital in Ningyuan, and also blocked his merchant fleet's ships in Dengzhou.

This person's visit to Pi Island was definitely not just about delivering food and money.

But he was absolutely confident that Yuan Chonghuan couldn't do anything to him.

For the next few days, Yuan Chonghuan wandered around the island every day.

Instead of talking to Mao Wenlong, he looked around at the terrain and chatted with the ordinary soldiers guarding the island, asking them if they had received enough pay and rice.

Seeing that the commander was so approachable, some people spoke a few more truthful words.

Mao Wenlong's confidants witnessed this, and when they went to report it, Mao Wenlong only sneered: "Let him see. After he sees it, can he move the island away?"

On the morning of the sixth day, Yuan Chonghuan suddenly ordered someone to send a message saying that he would hold a "grand military exercise" in the military camp and invited Marshal Mao to inspect it personally.

When Mao Wenlong arrived at the drill ground, he saw that the platform had already been set up, and a Shangfang sword wrapped in yellow silk lay across the table.

A thought flickered in his mind, but he didn't show it on his face. He simply smiled and asked, "What act is the Commander-in-Chief planning today?"

Yuan Chonghuan stood on the platform and waved to him: "Marshal Mao, there will be someone to sit down. Today, in front of the entire army, I have a few words to say."

Mao Wenlong stepped onto the stage and sat down in the chair next to Yuan Chonghuan.

Several thousand soldiers stood in formation, swords and shields in hand.

He had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but since he was already sitting down, it wasn't appropriate to get off.

Thinking that this was his own territory, he was no longer so wary.

Yuan Chonghuan stood up and walked to the front of the stage: "Soldiers, Marshal Mao has guarded Pi Island for many years and has made great contributions."

"But today, in front of you all, I want to ask Commander Mao, how many troops have you falsely reported since the Tianqi era? How much pay have you embezzled?"

"I have twelve files on the misdeeds of your officers who killed innocent people and claimed credit for their crimes. Do you want to compare them in public?"

The audience was silent.

Mao Wenlong's smile froze. He had done these things, and it was understandable.

But later, when Sun Qing arrived, there was no need to do that at all.

He looked at Yuan Chonghuan: "General Yuan, what do you mean by this? These are all things of the past, why are you bringing up old grievances?"

Yuan Chonghuan turned around, did not answer Mao Wenlong, but raised his voice to the audience: "I, the Governor-General, am acting on the Emperor's orders to secure Liaodong and eliminate this traitor."

"Any officer or soldier who disobeys orders will be considered a traitor!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and waved it, raising the imperial sword in his hand.

The armored soldiers who had been lying in ambush below the stage leaped up and pounced on Mao Wenlong.

Just as Mao Wenlong was about to draw his knife, his wrist was firmly held down, and he was forced to kneel on the stage.

Mao Wenlong raised his head: "Yuan Chonghuan, if you kill me, can you hold Liaodong?"

Yuan Chonghuan lowered his wrist, and the tip of his sword pierced Mao Wenlong's chest.

There was a deathly silence in the audience.

Yuan Chonghuan sheathed his sword: "Mao Wenlong has committed twelve major crimes; he shall be executed."

"All military affairs will be temporarily managed by Chen Jisheng and Liu Xingzuo. If anyone is dissatisfied, my sword will recognize them." He paused, then added, "From today onwards, all military affairs on Pi Island will be under my command."

Everything happened so suddenly that many people didn't even have time to react.

But what's done is done.

Now that the island is leaderless, no one dares to utter a word.

Yuan Chonghuan's goal was simple: Mao Wenlong was disobedient, and Pi Island was now an even bigger piece of meat than Hejian Prefecture.

"Commander Yuan, isn't it too early to say that?"

"What will become of Pidao in the future is probably not up to you to decide!"

Sun Qing had arrived on the island at some point, his face still covered in cold sweat.

Yuan Chonghuan looked at him, his brows furrowing: "It's you?"

"Didn't you go back to Hejian Prefecture?"

Sun Qing was annoyed. He had expected this day to come. Despite repeatedly giving instructions and running as fast as he could, he still fell behind.

Now that things have happened, we must not hand over Pi Island to Yuan Chonghuan.

Sun Qing casually cupped his hands in greeting: "Supervisor Yuan, you're quite the showman today."

"With a wave of the imperial sword, a garrison commander was executed without hesitation. I would like to ask, however, whether His Majesty's opinion was sought before executing Commander Mao?"

Yuan Chonghuan's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his gaze icy: "I am ordered to oversee the troops in Ji and Liao, and to act as I see fit. This sword will execute first and report later. I have my reasons for killing him."

"The Imperial Sword?" Sun Qing chuckled. "Supervisor Yuan, this sword was bestowed by the Emperor, but the purpose of the bestowal was to allow you to use it to share His Majesty's burdens, not to allow you to use it to make decisions for yourself."

"Whether Lord Mao is guilty or not, and whether he should be executed, should be decided by a joint trial of the three judicial departments, and approved by His Majesty with his own vermilion pen."

"Does Governor Yuan's swift and decisive action on Pi Island today mean he doesn't even respect His Majesty?"

Yuan Chonghuan's expression changed.

Sun Qing was furious. Putting aside whether Mao Wenlong should be killed or not, at least not now.

Because the problems that originally plagued Mao Wenlong have been completely resolved.

Sun Qing's tone was icy: "Pi Island is where Dongjiang Town is located. Although I hold a lowly position, I am here to assist in its defense on imperial orders."

"Since Commander Yuan has now killed the garrison commander here, according to regulations, I have the right to request that the Commander leave Pi Island temporarily, pending the court's inquiry into the matter before making a decision."

He paused, glancing at the remaining generals still gathered on the training ground. "General Yuan, do you think the people on Pi Island listen to you or me?"

Mao Wenlong is dead; further discussion is pointless.

What Sun Qing wanted at this moment was to keep the island in his own hands.

This is the Sun family's escape route!

It was also the place where he could survive.

Yuan Chonghuan looked around. The generals who had been keeping their heads down now raised their faces, their eyes all fixed on Sun Qing.

Several of Mao Wenlong's former subordinates and the guards at the dock stood a few steps behind Sun Qing.

No one spoke, but that silence spoke louder than any statement.

Yuan Chonghuan gritted his teeth: "Sun Qing, you've dragged me out of Pi Island today. If something happens in Dongjiang in the future, can you bear the responsibility?"

"I know what I'm doing regarding the Dongjiang affair," Sun Qing said, his tone still calm. "Supervisor Yuan should worry about himself first."

Thinking of the Jisi Incident, Sun Qing suppressed his anger and still kindly reminded him: "Shanhaiguan is indeed important, but the Later Jin cavalry may not only pass through Shanhaiguan."

"If they bypass Mongolia and break through the pass at Jizhou, will Commander Yuan defend the city or the mountains?"

"This humble official advises the commander-in-chief not to focus solely on what others have on their plates and to be concerned with momentary emotions, but rather to take a closer look at the roads that are not marked on the map."

Sun Qing emphasized, "So that we don't end up not even knowing our house has been raided."

Yuan Chonghuan's expression turned cold.

I came here today to take Pi Island. Everything went smoothly, but then Sun Qing suddenly appeared.

I was already annoyed, and now I'm being lectured by him.

He flicked his sleeve: "It's none of your business."

"But you, don't end up crying and screaming when the Later Jin beat you, and I have to come and save you."

"Hmph, I'm afraid the Sun family has lost all face because of you."

After saying this, Yuan Chonghuan, unable to even obtain Pi Island, angrily led his men away.