Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 22 Suspicion
Chen Bangyan was relieved when he saw Su Guansheng respectfully accept the envelope.
They both knew that Zhu Lang had not officially ascended the throne yet. Strictly speaking, Zhu Lang was just an ordinary prince.

However, both of them tacitly called Zhu Lang "Gui Regent", which clearly indicated that Zhu Lang was the future regent emperor of the Ming Dynasty. This letter was also a formal edict of the regent, an imperial decree.
Su Guansheng looked at the fire seal on the envelope, then took out a knife and took out the letter paper.
The letter was just as Zhu Lang had said to Chen Bangyan that day. It did not contain any treasonous content. It just mentioned that it was the time when the autumn grain was stored in the warehouse and the Zhaoqing government was short of money. So Su Guansheng was ordered to lead the army to escort the Guangzhou tax silver to the court to solve the urgent expenses of the court.

If we ignore the current situation, this is a normal decree to escort food and wages.
But Su Guansheng instantly understood what the King of Gui meant. The King of Gui was now asking him to lead the army into the court to balance the situation in the court.

Gu Yuanjing saw Su Guansheng put the letter on the table and fell into deep thought. Gu Yuanjing didn't care about much else and came forward to read the letter. After reading the content of the letter, a trace of relief flashed across his face. It was obvious that he also understood what King Gui meant.

"Sir Chen, where did this imperial edict come from?" Su Guansheng looked at Chen Bangyan who was sitting upright below.

"I have been lingering in Zhaoqing for several days, but all the visiting cards I sent out have received no response. I was ready to return empty-handed. I thought that since I was in Zhaoqing, I should also fulfill my duties as a subject, so I also sent a visiting card to the Prince of Gui's Palace."

"I didn't hold out hope, but who would have thought that the next day after I submitted my letter, Wu Hujun from the Guiwang Palace came to my door and said that the Guiwang wanted to see me."

"I followed General Wu to see the King of Gui, and only then did I learn that the King of Gui knew nothing about the petition I submitted to the Governor's Office on behalf of Lord Su to persuade him to ascend the throne."

"The King of Gui was indignant. I was very grateful to the King of Gui for his loyal and diligent work. Your Highness then made up his mind and wrote this secret decree, asking me to bring it back overnight."

"Now is the time to help the people in need and make decisions. If Lord Su still remembers the great favor of the court, he should lead his troops to the capital as soon as possible and not let the ruthless ministers overthrow the government and the people."

Chen Bangyan said in a deep voice
"What is the situation between His Royal Highness Prince Gui and Ding Kuichu and the others?" Su Guansheng did not respond, but asked again.

"The officials of Zhaoqing are really domineering, especially Ding Kuichu. I don't know how many spies from the Governor's Office were deployed outside the palace. When I entered the palace, I also changed into the clothes of the eunuchs in the palace, so that I could enter the palace quietly."

"How dare the ministers of Zhaoqing do this? This Ding Kuichu is so arrogant and rude. I think he must be the same as Cao Mang."

Gu Yuanjing's eyes turned, and then he spoke angrily

"Why didn't Lord Chen take out the imperial edict first?" Su Guansheng didn't react, but looked at Chen Bangyan.

"His Royal Highness Prince Gui has said that if Lord Su remains loyal to the king and is willing to serve the Ming Dynasty faithfully, then the imperial edict will be handed over to Lord Su."

"If Lord Su has other ideas and wants to follow the example of Ding Kuichu and others, then let me burn this decree and pretend that it never happened," Chen Bangyan said in a low voice.
"It can't be burned. This imperial edict can't be burned," Gu Yuanjing said to himself in a low voice, looking at the letter on the table with lingering fear.

Su Guansheng remained silent. Although he had received the Gui King's decree and saw a glimmer of hope, he also had another worry.

Ding Kuichu, as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, has tens of thousands of soldiers outside Zhaoqing City. If he enters the court at this time, he will inevitably confront Ding Kuichu. Once Ding Kuichu's soldiers take a risky move, his life and death will really be in the hands of others.

"Lord Chen, what do you think of the King of Gui when you meet him in person?" Su Guansheng asked.

"You are wise and brave, and you are kind-hearted. Your Highness will surely be the Han Guangwu of the Ming Dynasty," Chen Bangyan said loudly without any hesitation.

Su Guansheng and the other looked at each other with a look of surprise on their faces. They had heard many words of flattery to the emperor, and even said them themselves, so it was not worth being surprised.

But Chen Bangyan's tone was firm and decisive. It was obvious that he was not just offering empty words of flattery. Instead, he really believed that the King of Gui was extremely talented and far superior to ordinary people.

Emperor Guangwu of Han is not a title that ordinary emperors can bear. After Wang Mang's chaotic rule, many heroes emerged in the world. It was Emperor Guangwu of Han who emerged and continued the Han Dynasty for hundreds of years.
Although Emperor Guangwu had a so-called royal family status, the process of his seizing the Xin Dynasty was no different from conquering the world all over again. He was truly the founding emperor.

Chen Bangyan actually thought that the King of Gui could be compared with Emperor Guangwu of Han, which really surprised the two of them.
Su Guansheng looked at Chen Bangyan with a serious expression, thinking in his heart, in fact, he had no other choice.
Without Zhu Lang's edict, he would be unable to do anything now. He could only stay in Guangzhou, watching the establishment of the new dynasty, and then waiting for the army to arrive and take back the power of Guangzhou. The best outcome for him would be to be driven out of the court in disgrace.

Su Guansheng doesn't even have the option of Emperor Shaowu now. Emperor Shaowu will arrive in Guangzhou in more than half a month. He is either still in Fujian Province or still floating on the sea.
He had no way of knowing that the brother of Emperor Longwu would arrive in Guangzhou a month later. It could be said that Su Guansheng had no choice but to follow Zhu Lang's instructions and lead his troops into the capital.
Thinking of this, Su Guansheng no longer hesitated and spoke directly
"Powerful officials are overbearing and have used their military to obscure the wisdom of the emperor. As a minister of state, I should enter the court at this time to eliminate the evil atmosphere and prevent the treacherous officials from succeeding in the court."

"Lord Gu, please quickly count the treasury in the city. Lord Chen, please also make preparations and accompany me to the court tomorrow."

Su Guansheng was about to get up and go out to prepare to march into the court, but just as he stood up, he was stopped by Chen Bangyan.

"Sir Su, have you decided to go to Beijing?" Chen Bangyan asked

"Of course," Su Guansheng's face flashed with determination.

"In this case, I am afraid I cannot go to court with you, my Lord."

The two who had already stood up looked at Chen Bangyan who was sitting in his seat, with confusion on their faces.

Chen Bangyan's expression became serious. He stood up and took out another envelope from his sleeve.

"This is the second imperial edict from His Royal Highness Gui Jianguo to Lord Su and Lord Gu. Please accept it."

"His Royal Highness Prince Gui actually has an order for me."

Gu Yuanjing heard this, a hint of surprise flashed across his face. The first edict was all about Su Guansheng, but there was no mention of Gu Yuanjing. But judging from the current meaning, the King of Gui also knew about him, Gu Yuanjing!
"I, the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion Su Guansheng, and the Left Governor of Guangdong Province Gu Yuanjing, respectfully accept the Imperial Regent's order."

The two bowed deeply to the letter in Chen Bangyan's hand, then took the envelope and took out the second edict.
The second edict was much more detailed than the previous one. In addition to requiring Su Guansheng to transfer all the available troops in Guangzhou to the court, it also made some specific expectations for the silver that Su Guansheng brought to the court.

This part is a supplement to the first edict, but the most important part of this edict is that it allows Su Guansheng and Gu Yuanjing to come to the court together, while Chen Bangyan stays in Guangzhou to control all affairs in Guangzhou, mobilize money and grain, and repair military preparations.
Su Guansheng read the contents of the letter but said nothing. Instead, he looked at Chen Bangyan below with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

He originally planned to let Gu Yuanjing continue to guard Guangzhou, while he led half of the soldiers and Chen Bangyan to enter the court.

But the second decree asked him to transfer all available troops to the court, and even Gu Yuanjing was to be transferred away. Instead, Chen Bangyan, who had just returned from Zhaoqing, was allowed to take full control of Guangzhou.

Su Guansheng's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. If Chen Bangyan had secretly agreed with the ruler and ministers in Zhaoqing City and deliberately wrote these two edicts...

Thinking of this, Su Guansheng remained calm and asked

"Guangzhou is an important city in Guangdong Province, and it needs a frontier official like Lord Gu to guard it. Why did His Royal Highness the Prince of Gui allow Lord Gu to enter the court as well?"

"It's not a good idea to say this in the letter. The King of Gui told me personally that the situation in the court is complicated right now. If Lord Su comes to the court alone, I'm afraid he won't be able to handle it alone. Lord Gu is also a frontier minister. It's time for Lord Gu to come to the court with him so that he and Lord Su can help each other."

Su Guansheng's expression froze. He didn't expect Chen Bangyan to give such a reason, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt that it was very reasonable.

The attitude of the three people in the court towards him was not friendly. He himself did not dare to say that he could escape unscathed from this visit to the court. Ding Kuichu and the other two in Zhaoqing City had been operating for a long time and had many students and former officials. He really needed one or two helpers this time. Looking at Guangdong Province, Gu Yuanjing was the most suitable person.

Su Guansheng hesitated again. Chen Bangyan's statement was very reasonable, but he was worried that Chen Bangyan really had some connection with the king and ministers of Zhaoqing.
If this is true, he is not going to the court to assist in the administration, but to die.

"You were so determined just now, why are you hesitating now?"

Chen Bangyan seemed to be completely unaware of the suspicion in Su Guansheng's eyes and spoke loudly

"Your Highness is being held hostage by powerful officials. You two adults are needed to assist in governing the country and prevent the evil from being arrogant. I am Lord Su's envoy. Your Highness has left me in Guangzhou to show that you do not doubt us."

"If Your Highness wants to seize Guangzhou, why do you need me to defend Guangzhou? Wouldn't it be better to recruit the three of us into the court?" Chen Bangyan said in a deep voice.
"Why do you say that, Lord Chen? How could I have such an idea?"

Su Guansheng looked embarrassed, while Gu Yuanjing beside him looked at Chen Bangyan with some doubt.

"Since you don't doubt Your Highness, then you must be suspicious of me."

Chen Bangyan remained calm and continued without waiting for Su Guansheng to speak.

"I have a son at home. I will send him to the army later and he will accompany you two adults to the court. Will this satisfy Lord Su's wishes?"

Su Guansheng and the other two were shocked when they heard this, but Chen Bangyan looked serious and continued
"The state affairs are difficult now. Your Highness is in a difficult situation in the court and is worried day and night. Your Excellency must not hesitate at this time. You should lead the army to the court as soon as possible to relieve the worries of the emperor and father and reassure the people."

After Chen Bangyan finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Su Guansheng.

"Master Chen, please stand up quickly. How could I doubt you? We have traveled from Jiangxi to Guangdong, experienced life and death, and encountered many hardships and dangers along the way. If Master Chen cannot be trusted, who else can I trust?"

"Sir Chen, please don't mention the matter of sending your son to the army again, otherwise it will be too embarrassing for me. If so, how can I stand in front of you, Sir Chen?"

Su Guansheng was also moved. They received the order from Emperor Longwu, and without any money or food, they had to raise a team of 3,000 people in Gan Province. Only the two of them knew the hardships.

Su Guansheng was also very clear about Chen Bangyan's character. He didn't really believe that he had conspired with the emperor and his ministers in Zhaoqing to murder him.
"I have decided to lead the army into the court. What do you think, Lord Gu?" Su Guansheng cast aside his hesitation and looked at Gu Yuanjing who was standing beside him.

"If His Highness issues an edict, I will obey the order and enter the court. I have nothing to fear from a few treacherous villains."

Gu Yuanjing gritted his teeth, his expression became stern, and he said

He is not afraid of death, he is only afraid of losing his job

Moreover, now is the difficult time for the King of Gui. If he can help the King of Gui through this time, he will definitely be the King of Gui's trusted minister. There is a chance that he, Gu Yuanjing, will enter the cabinet in the future.

Su Guansheng, a student of the Imperial Academy, could enter the cabinet. Why couldn't Gu Yuanjing, a successful candidate in the imperial examination, become a Grand Secretary?

The three of them made their decision and did not hesitate any longer. With their actions, the personnel, money and food of the entire Guangzhou city began to surge.

(End of this chapter)