Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 494 Different ways do not work together

The Dragon Guardian Manor fell into a deathly silence.

Duan Tianya opened his mouth silently, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say.

He could see Shangguan Haitang's pain and the reluctance in her eyes.

For a moment, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings: regret, annoyance, and resentment.

Although Duan Tianya had been living in seclusion in the mountains during this period, he was not completely unaware of the outside world. He was well aware of the changes in the Ming Dynasty and knew that Shangguan Haitang's words were definitely not unfounded.

As the former number one secret agent of the Dragon Guard Manor, Duan Tianya was excellent in every aspect except for his love life. Only in this way could he stand out from the group of secret guards and become the number one.

He naturally understood just how dangerous his current situation was.

Thinking of this, Duan Tianya sighed and shook his head, saying, "It is not a pity for Tianya to die, but His Majesty's methods in the war against Japan are so ruthless, readily destroying countries and carrying out massacres. I'm afraid it will be difficult to win the hearts of the people and silence the gossip."

“You shouldn’t say these high-sounding words to us, but to the villages and towns along the southeast coast, and to the people of Quanzhou who were slaughtered by the Japanese invaders. See if His Majesty’s actions can win the hearts of the people.” Gui Haiyi retorted coldly, “In this battle, everyone in the court agrees that this battle was worth fighting.”

"These shameless Japanese slaves who disobey the emperor's rule, offend the majesty of the Ming Dynasty, and have no sense of shame."

"The civil and military officials were of one mind: to exterminate them all, leaving no one alive."

This was the first foreign war fought by the Ming Dynasty after Zhu Jinzhen ascended the throne.

All the civil and military officials shared the same goal: to fight, and to fight hard.

Extreme military commanders believed that their emperor was too lenient, while relatively conservative civil officials believed that the extreme military commanders were not radical enough. Since revenge was the goal, they should simply turn Japan into a wasteland, exterminate its people, wipe out its race, and wipe out its descendants, so that those audacious Japanese devils would completely disappear and cease to exist.

This is not merely a personal grudge, but a national grievance, a war of revenge to avenge the country.

Even the most dissenting censors, who were always ready to die for their principles, gave their full support.

Duan Tianya's opposition was, in Gui Haiyidao's view, utterly ridiculous. Even if he were still the top leader, let alone a commoner, what right or status would he have to oppose it?
"Those who commit many unrighteous acts will surely be punished..."

"Shut up!" Shangguan Haitang and Guihai Yidao shouted in unison. They dared not let Duan Tianya finish speaking, otherwise, they suspected that the other secret guards would come and kill Duan Tianya without them even waiting to leave.

Shangguan Haitang took a deep breath, looked at Duan Tianya who was familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar in front of her, and said in a cold tone: "You are no longer a member of the Dragon Guard Manor, nor are you the number one in the Heavenly Rank. For the sake of our past relationship, I will pretend that I have never met you today."

"Next time, if I hear you spouting nonsense again..."

"I, the owner of this estate, will punish such individuals according to the law and will show no leniency."

"You go."

Shangguan Haitang waved her hand listlessly, understanding for the first time so profoundly what it meant to "those who walk different paths cannot make plans together."

"Haitang, one slash..." Duan Tianya opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him again, but the next moment a flash of light from a blade entered his eyes, giving him no chance to continue speaking, and swallowed him up directly.

"One Strike, Big Brother!" Shangguan Haitang was startled, but quickly realized that although Guihai Yidao had struck with his sword, he had only used the back of the blade to knock Duan Tianya unconscious without injuring him, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Gui Haiyi appeared ghost-like beside Duan Tianya, grabbing his shoulder with one hand before looking at Shangguan Haitang, whose expression was complicated: "He is no longer the number one secret agent, and he can no longer keep up with His Majesty and the Ming Dynasty."

"Haitang, if you remain so soft-hearted, sooner or later, the Dragon Guard Manor will repeat the same mistakes."

Shangguan Haitang remained silent.

She could hear the warning in Gui Haiyi's voice and understood his meaning.

Although His Majesty is magnanimous, the Ming Dynasty is about to unify the world, and His Majesty has already set his sights on the world beyond. There is absolutely no way that the Lord of the Dragon Guard Manor, who is only concerned with a woman's feelings, can tolerate such a man.

What His Majesty wanted was a decent knife.

The Eastern Depot, Western Depot, Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Six Doors will certainly not stand idly by. If Shangguan Haitang cannot adjust her mindset, it will only hasten the disappearance of the Dragon Guard Manor.

"I understand." Shangguan Haitang gave a bitter laugh, the last trace of tenderness in her eyes quickly fading away, replaced by the wise and calm demeanor of the former Xuan-ranked master of the Dragon Guard Manor.

"After all, our eldest brother grew up with us. Yidao, let's send him away from the capital."

Gui Haiyi frowned at Shangguan Haitang's words, and then heard her continue, "Send out secret agents from the Dragon Guard Manor to keep a close watch on him. He must never set foot in the capital again." "Good!"

Gui Haiyi nodded silently. He understood Shangguan Haitang's meaning. If he didn't make the trip himself, even with the manpower of the Dragon Guard Manor, and even with several Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends at the Finger Profound Realm personally escorting him, Duan Tianya would not be able to survive.

This was the last thing they could do for Duan Tianya.

……

On this day, various factions in the capital were in turmoil.

In the end, they could only regretfully withdraw their greedy, prying eyes.

If it were anyone else from the Dragon Guard Manor escorting Duan Tianya, even several Masters of the Finger Profound Realm would absolutely be unable to bring him out of the capital. But Guihai Yidao is different; besides being a member of the Dragon Guard Manor, he is also a secret guard.

Anyone who dares to mess with the secret guards, even Yu Huatian and Cao Zhengchun, would be dead.

The others naturally understood this principle and decisively gave up the easy prize they had in their mouths.

British government.

Zhang Mao brought his eldest son and the other children before him and recounted what had happened in the palace that day. He heard that they could return to the Zhengtong Dynasty to avert the tragedy of the Tumu Crisis.

Everyone present changed their expressions.

"Everyone knows that His Majesty's methods are extraordinary and unfathomable."

"But I never imagined that even something like this could be accomplished."

The eldest son, Zhang Qin, was filled with emotion. He then thought of the information his father, Zhang Mao, had mentioned about that other world earlier. "August of the fourteenth year of the Zhengtong reign, that's only a little over a month before the Tumu Crisis. If we calculate the time, my grandfather in that world is still alive. Father, could you start from this angle?"

"Does Brother mean, a coordinated attack from within and without?"

Zhang Zi, Zhang Gang, Zhang Zhen, and their brothers who worked in the Embroidered Uniform Guard were all immediately impressed.

"With the might of our Great Ming army, it would be easy to flatten that world in broad daylight. But His Majesty is merciful and unwilling to commit further bloodshed. This method is indeed feasible."

The other members of the Zhang family nodded in agreement.

Since that world was in the orthodox period, their grandfather Zhang Fu was still alive. Although he was relieved of his military power in the fourth year of Xuande, he was granted the titles of Grand Master of the Palace and Left Pillar of State, and still participated in planning important military and national affairs.

With the Zhang family's connections in the Ming army, if they cooperated with their father Zhang Mao from within and without, and combined with the Ming army's military might, they could have controlled the capital without bloodshed.

With the combined strength of Zhang Mao and the Ming Dynasty, they could easily sweep through the Ming Dynasty again and reclaim that world.

"This is indeed the easiest way."

“As your father, I did consider that, but it won’t work.”

Zhang Mao shook his head and rejected the children's suggestions.

“My Zhang family has been loyal to the emperor and loved the country for generations. Although both are under the Ming Dynasty, they are ultimately different. If we do this, the Zhang family in the other world will be criticized by future generations, and may even be branded as traitors who betrayed the Ming Dynasty in that world.”

"Moreover, given your grandfather's temperament, he would rather die than agree to it."

There is nothing better than a son to know a son, and nothing better than a son to know a father.

Zhang Mao knew very well what kind of person his father, Zhang Fu, was.

He had followed Emperor Taizong in conquering the country since the beginning of the Jingnan Rebellion. Later, he led the army to conquer Annam and was enfeoffed as Duke of Ying for his military achievements. He quelled the Annam rebellion three times and went to Jiaozhi four times. It is said that he "captured the false king three times and his prestige shook the southwest". He was loyal to Emperor Taizong and Emperors Renzong and Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty. He also participated in the suppression of the Han Prince's rebellion.

Even if Zhang Mao had a different identity, he would never gain the support of Zhang Fu from that world.

On the contrary, it might alert the enemy prematurely, allowing the Ming Dynasty in that world to prepare, which would backfire.

(End of this chapter)