Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 454: Persuasion is ineffective
Mao Wenlong waved his hand and said modestly, "Master Yuan, I don't deserve your words. How can I compare with Master Yuan? Master Yuan is an important official of the court, deeply trusted by His Majesty, and in charge of the military and political affairs of Ji and Liao. I am just a warrior. I am only a minor general in the Dongjiang garrison, and I can't compare with the elite soldiers and generals under Master Yuan. As for the merits, I died at the hands of Master Yuan. I have wasted many years but have only achieved a few achievements. How can I be compared with you?"

Mao Wenlong came to Shuangdao with a grudge and was quite dissatisfied with Yuan Chonghuan. When Yuan Chonghuan started talking about national affairs and flattering him, Mao Wenlong was even more dissatisfied. He was not stupid, and he knew that Yuan Chonghuan must be planning to praise him first and then suppress him. He probably wanted to force him to submit by taking advantage of the overall situation of Ji and Liao as the same as last time. So Mao Wenlong secretly mocked Yuan Chonghuan after a few false polite words, deliberately speaking so badly of Dongjiang Town, and even praised Yuan Chonghuan for the death of Nurhaci.

If someone else had said these words, Yuan Chonghuan might not have thought too much about it, but these words came from Mao Wenlong's mouth, and Yuan Chonghuan immediately felt very uncomfortable.

Yuan Chonghuan was very clear about the situation in Dongjiang Town. The role that Dongjiang Town played in Liaodong over the years was obvious to all. If Dongjiang Town was useless, then Mao Wenlong would not have his current identity and status.

What's more, Mao Wenlong also specifically mentioned the death of Nurhaci, although there had long been rumors throughout the Ming Dynasty that Nurhaci died because he was seriously injured by Yuan Chonghuan's artillery fire under the city of Ningyuan when he attacked Ningyuan.

But it's fine if other people say this, but Yuan Chonghuan himself doesn't know what the real situation is? Not to mention Mao Wenlong who has been fighting guerrilla warfare in the rear of the Jiannu.

How did Nurhaci die? Others didn't know, but these two knew it very well. The so-called injury from the Ningyuan artillery fire was simply nonsense. If he was injured by the artillery, this old slave would have died long ago. How could he live so long after the withdrawal? It was simply impossible.

The reason why Nurhaci's death was attributed to Yuan Chonghuan was, on the one hand, that Yuan Chonghuan had the inspiration to use the topic to publicize it, and on the other hand, the imperial court also wanted to use this incident to boost morale and enhance national prestige.

Now Mao Wenlong deliberately brought this up, what else could it be but a satire on Yuan Chonghuan? Yuan Chonghuan smiled, but he was extremely angry in his heart, and even felt embarrassed as if he had been slapped in the face.

Yuan Chonghuan suppressed his anger and smiled faintly, and continued: "Marshal Mao is too modest. Everyone in the court knows his ability. Back then, Marshal Mao led 200 soldiers deep into the enemy's rear and turned the Jian Nu upside down, killing countless enemies. His extraordinary achievements are still praised today. As for Dongjiang Town, it was founded by Marshal Mao himself, and it is even more fierce and fierce. Dongjiang Town has made great achievements in recent years. How can it be as bad as what Marshal Mao said?"

"Haha, it was barely acceptable before, but it's different now." Mao Wenlong looked at Yuan Chonghuan, intentionally or unintentionally, and said with a fake smile, "Now Dongjiang Town is not as good as it used to be. Because of the villain's mischief, the army is demoralized and has no money or food, and even less weapons, horses, etc., and the combat effectiveness has been greatly reduced. Even if I want to fight for the country, I am powerless. I am really helpless."

Yuan Chonghuan was even more furious when he heard this, and he almost slammed the table and cursed. Mao Wenlong actually said that a villain was causing trouble in front of him. Wasn't this villain talking about him? Mao Wenlong was so bold! I was discussing serious matters with him with good intentions, but he had such an attitude. He was simply shameless!

At this moment, Yuan Chonghuan had already decided to kill Mao Wenlong, but Mao Wenlong was not an ordinary person after all. He was a first-rank official. It was not easy to kill Mao Wenlong. What was more important was that this was Shuangdao, which was Mao Wenlong's jurisdiction. There were more than 3,500 soldiers in the entire Shuangdao, including those who followed Mao Wenlong, while Yuan Chonghuan had only 200 people around him. Once Mao Wenlong completely turned against him, let alone killing Mao Wenlong, he might even lose his own life.

But Yuan Chonghuan was Yuan Chonghuan after all, he was always bold, the more impossible it was, the more he would try. But if there was a better way to solve the problem, Yuan Chonghuan would not take risks rashly, so Yuan Chonghuan took a deep breath, suppressed his anger and still smiled, but his fingers under the table were clenched white.

"Marshal Mao's life is indeed not easy, I know that." Following Mao Wenlong's words, Yuan Chonghuan nodded and said, "I remember that Marshal Mao is not young anymore, right? Marshal Mao was born in the fourth year of the Wanli reign, and he is fifty this year..."

"I am fifty-four years old this year..." Mao Wenlong took over the conversation and sighed, picked up the wine glass in front of him and took a sip of wine. There was nostalgia in his expression, as if he was thinking about his youth.

"Yes, yes! Marshal Mao is fifty-four." Yuan Chonghuan nodded and continued, "In the thirty-third year of the Wanli reign, Marshal Mao came to Liaodong and served as a captain under Li Chengliang. Twenty-five years have passed in a flash. It was not easy for Marshal Mao to fight for the country in Liaodong for so many years."

Yuan Chonghuan's words made Mao Wenlong feel deeply moved. These words really touched his heart. So many years have passed in a flash. The young man who was full of vigor and vitality back then has become an old man with gray hair. He is now over fifty years old and his youth is no longer there.

"Is Marshal Mao from Hangzhou?"

"Yes, Qiantang County, Hangzhou Prefecture."

"Hangzhou is a good place." Yuan Chonghuan said with emotion: "As the saying goes, there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. Hangzhou is located in the south of the Yangtze River. It is a place with outstanding people and beautiful scenery. It is a rare place in the world to go out. When did Marshal Mao leave Hangzhou?" "It's a long story." Mao Wenlong smiled and said, "Although I was born in Qiantang County, Hangzhou, my ancestors were from Pingyang Prefecture, Shanxi. My father died when I was young, and I followed my mother to my uncle. My uncle treated me very well and asked a good teacher to teach me how to read and write. I wanted to make a name for myself through the imperial examination, but unfortunately I had no interest in literary affairs. Instead, I preferred military affairs. After I became an adult, I returned to my ancestral home in Pingyang Prefecture and stayed as a farmer for some years. Later, because my uncle had no heir, he inherited the position of Haizhou Weishi Baihu after his uncle died. Then, with the recommendation of my uncle, he served as Neiding Qianzong under General Li. After the military examination, he was promoted to the positions of Anshan Baihu and Liaoyang Qianhu until today..."

At this point, Mao Wenlong counted on his fingers and said, "According to this calculation, it has been thirty-three years since I left Hangzhou. If Lord Yuan hadn't mentioned it today, I wouldn't have even remembered it."

"Thirty-three years is indeed a long time. Has Marshal Mao ever thought about returning to Hangzhou during these years?" Yuan Chonghuan asked with a smile.

"Haha, of course I miss it." Mao Wenlong shook his head and said, "I was born in Hangzhou and grew up in Hangzhou. Every tree and blade of grass in Hangzhou is in my heart. Even if I don't think about it on weekdays, I will often dream about Hangzhou, my hometown."

"Yes! Who can be heartless? Marshal Mao is a man of temperament, so it is understandable that he has such thoughts. Marshal Mao, I wonder if I should say something?"

"Master Yuan, please feel free to say whatever you want to say."

"In that case, I will speak frankly. Please do not be angry if there is anything wrong." Yuan Chonghuan said with a smile. Seeing Mao Wenlong's calm attitude, he immediately said, "Marshal Mao is not young anymore. He has fought for the country for so many years and has made outstanding contributions. He has worked very hard. Now he is over 50 years old and still works hard for the country. Why not retire while the tide is running and return to Hangzhou to recuperate? This way, he can preserve his reputation and return home in glory. Isn't it the best of both worlds?"

Mao Wenlong was stunned. He did not expect Yuan Chonghuan to say such a thing. He immediately replied subconsciously: "Resign and return to Hangzhou to retire? Mr. Yuan, if I am gone, what will happen to Dongjiang Town?"

"Haha, why should General Mao worry? I think that although Dongjiang Town was founded by General Mao, it doesn't have to be run by General Mao. There are many talented people in the Ming Dynasty, and there are many talented people in the world. When the time comes, we can just choose a suitable person to replace General Mao. It's easy."

Mao Wenlong frowned, thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "No way!"

"How can it not be possible?"

"If it doesn't work, it won't work!" Mao Wenlong said with a serious expression, "It's not that I, Mao Wenlong, am greedy for power, but Dongjiang Town is different from ordinary military towns. Sir Yuan, the soldiers and civilians in Dongjiang Town are not ordinary military households. They are all Liao people I rescued from the hands of the Jiannu, brought them into Dongjiang to be registered as civilians, and then trained them into the army. It took many years of hard work to achieve the current situation."

"It is precisely because of this that I can suppress all parties in Dongjiang Town, and everyone can obey me. But once I leave Dongjiang Town, others who take over will certainly not be able to do the same. Dongjiang Town will be plagued by internal troubles and will no longer be as strong as it is now. There is even the risk of disintegration."

"I appreciate Lord Yuan's kindness. Although I also want to return home, I cannot abandon the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Dongjiang Town. Let's talk about this later. Once we have pacified the Jiannu in Liaodong and recovered all of Liao, I will be able to completely let go of Dongjiang Town, properly resettle the soldiers and civilians, and return home to enjoy my life."

"Haha, according to what you said, Marshal Mao, do you mean that Dongjiang Town must have you, Marshal Mao?" Yuan Chonghuan asked back with a frown.

Mao Wenlong thought about it. He wanted to explain it in a tactful way, but then he thought, why should he explain it to Yuan Chonghuan? This was his own business in Dongjiang Town. What did it have to do with Yuan Chonghuan? Besides, he was a soldier and was used to being straightforward. Moreover, the personnel structure and internal situation of Dongjiang Town were very complicated. Although Yuan Chonghuan was a civilian who had led troops, he was different from a real soldier after all. He would not understand some things even if he was explained in detail.

Mao Wenlong immediately told Yuan Chonghuan in no uncertain terms that he must not leave Dongjiang Town. Dongjiang Town was founded by him, Mao Wenlong, and no one had his prestige and ability to control Dongjiang Town. Once he was gone, Dongjiang Town would definitely be in trouble. For the sake of the overall situation, no one could replace him.

Mao Wenlong's answer made Yuan Chonghuan give up trying to persuade him. He originally thought that he could persuade Mao Wenlong to give up his military power and hand over Dongjiang Town. If Mao Wenlong was willing to do so, then Yuan Chonghuan would not have to take action against Mao Wenlong. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?
But he never expected that Mao Wenlong would not listen, and even said shamelessly that his position in Dongjiang Town was irreplaceable? This made Yuan Chonghuan's impression of Mao Wenlong extremely bad. At this moment, Yuan Chonghuan finally made up his mind to deal with Mao Wenlong and no longer had any illusions.

(End of this chapter)