Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 233 Angels Descend to Earth
Ding Baiying waved her hand in refusal, her tone hinting at disbelief. "I won't bother you, sister-in-law. I'd better try my luck on my own."

"Don't worry." Hai Rou said confidently, "It's nothing more than a connection with the Jinyiwei. Your senior brother is a Jinyiwei, and so is my father. I can take you to him."

"How can I do that!" Ding Baiying was even more upset. "I can't repay such a big favor."

"What do you mean by 'I haven't returned it yet'? That's too formal. It's just a small favor. Just think of it as going back to your parents' home. It's in Beijing anyway, just a few steps away." Hai Rou smiled sincerely.

"No, that's not the way it is." Ding Baiying twisted around, breaking free from Hai Rou's hold, then clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "Sister-in-law, I'll say goodbye. Goodbye."

"What's the matter? Seriously!" Hai Rou blocked the doorway and said in feigned anger, "You've only taken a sip of this tea and you're leaving. Junior Sister, do you hate me so much?"

Ding Baiying was startled, then looked away with a guilty look. "Sister-in-law, I didn't mean that." She didn't dislike Hai Rou, but it was indeed difficult for her to have much affection for her.

"Then what do you mean?" Hai Rou scolded with her anger still lingering.

"My senior brother has taken great care of me. He doesn't owe me anything, and my sister-in-law owes me even less." Ding Baiying made up her mind and refused stubbornly, "Besides, Lord Hai is the chief officer of the Jinyiwei Confidential Office, and he has a lot of official business to do. I really don't want to bother you."

"Oh, huge? I'm afraid not." A slightly sarcastic tone came out from between Hai Rou's teeth. However, adhering to the principle of "don't air your dirty laundry in public", she didn't say much about her father's faults.

"Since Junior Sister doesn't dislike me, then don't rush to leave." Hai Rou gently took Ding Baiying's arm. "Chat with me for a while, and at least drink this cup of tea."

"Okay then." Ding Baiying sighed.

Hai Rou pulled Ding Baiying back to her previous seat and said, "Junior sister, you've traveled extensively and have seen a lot of places. I'm sure you've been to many places of interest. Just think of it as a kindness and tell me about your experiences. Okay?"

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"Captain. After passing this horse post, we will reach Tianjin. Should we enter the city today, or take a rest first?" Lu Jianxing looked at the flag with the word "post" planted on the side of the road, slightly moved his horse forward, approached Lu Wenzhao, and asked.

"The horses are not tired, but the people are tired. Since the sun is setting and the sky is getting dark, let's just leave it at that for today." Lu Wenzhao didn't have anything precious like a pocket watch, so he could only rely on the sky to judge the time of dawn and dusk.

"We can change horses and gallop into the city today," a captain interrupted and suggested.

"It's not a life-threatening errand." Lu Wenzhao shook his head, squeezing his legs together and increasing his horse's speed. "I don't want to have to open the city gates in the middle of the night again and then run around like a stray dog ​​looking for an inn to stay in."

When the group arrived at the post station, the old postmaster was leading the postmen to have dinner.

"Okay, someone's coming again. He really knows how to pick the right time." The old postmaster heard the noise, put down his bowl and chopsticks, then raised his butt to push the bench away and stood up.

"Mr. He, please sit down. I'll go." A young postman who had already finished his meal also stood up.

"Hey. Do you recognize all the characters on the postal token?" The old postmaster surnamed He glanced at the postman and then walked out on his own.

"Hehe." The young postman laughed foolishly and followed.

"Wow! So many people!" He Yicheng could tell from the noise that quite a few people had arrived. However, when he saw the huge crowd of more than 20 people, he frowned.

"Twenty-four people, twenty-four horses. Stay overnight." For this operation, Lu Wenzhao mobilized two small flags, totaling twenty-four people including himself and Lu Jianxing.

He Yicheng's eyesight was blurry, and only after the men approached and dismounted did he clearly see their attire. He saw the leading man wearing a bamboo hat and a gray-black linen cloak for wind and sand protection. Inside the cloak lay a worn, coarse cotton robe. He couldn't help but feel a surge of disdain and rejection: Damn it! Another unruly slave trying to get away with the post station.

Generally speaking, officials would not wear their expensive official uniforms outside of the yamen, leaving them to fray, especially on long journeys. They would change into their official uniforms upon arrival to identify themselves and minimize inconvenience. While this was common, except for newly appointed county magistrates of humble origins and low-ranking military officers, officials visiting post stations typically rode in sedan chairs rather than on horseback, and certainly not in coarse, tattered clothing.

"Bring the post talisman for verification." He Yicheng said bluntly with his hands spread out.

"Take it." Lu Wenzhao handed the reins to Lu Jianxing, then took out a special document made of high-quality silk from his arms and handed it to the postmaster.

In theory, Ming Dynasty post stations were only for official use, not for personal use. However, in view of the fact that post stations were widely abused by private individuals during the Yuan Dynasty, thus delaying state affairs, Emperor Taizu established the system of "post station inspection".

The so-called "postal verification system" means that the verification certificates are all made of brocade, with the words of authorization and the description of ships and horses. The Dusi, the Provincial Administration, the Censorate and the various guards will be given railway carriages to travel in case of emergency.

In reality, however, these documents were easy to forge and difficult to verify. Furthermore, even low-ranking postmasters could hardly refuse requests from officials at all levels, including their servants and acquaintances, for post stations. Consequently, starting in the mid-Ming Dynasty, post stations were widely stolen and abused. Post stations became hotbeds for the wealthy and powerful to exploit state resources.

"Tsk." He Yicheng took the silk cloth and examined it carefully.

On the front was the seal of the Ministry of War and the Imperial Guards, and it read:

The Emperor's decree states that when passing through post stations, public officials must present this token for verification before being allowed to deliver horses. Those who, without this token, are allowed to deliver horses to post stations without authorization, or post station officials who fail to enforce the law or show partiality in handling matters, will all be punished severely. This order should be enforced. The first year of the Taichang reign, the eleventh day of the first lunar month.

Although it says "Emperor's Edict", this is just a standard format passed down from the reign of Emperor Taizu, and is considered a useless order.

"It's pretty damn new." A little doubt arose in He Yichen's heart.

He had seen many outrageous forgeries of postal tokens, and had also received many unruly people and servants who used the postal service without any postal tokens, but only with a waist badge and a piece of paper. However, it was rare to see such a new print and such fine silk brocade.

He Yicheng thought: Someone who can get a proper post token from the Ministry of War shouldn't be dressed like this. He Yicheng turned the post token over, and there was a clear message on it: the office, the errand, the starting and ending points, and the identity of the errand person.

"Jinyiwei East Office." He Yicheng had just finished reading the few words when he almost choked to death on the air he had just taken in. "Cough, cough. Cough!" He Yicheng coughed violently, and after a while, he spat out a mouthful of thick phlegm into the open space behind him.

"So you're on a mission. Come in, come in." He Yicheng didn't look down. He handed the post token in his hand back to Lu Wenzhao as if he was avoiding the plague, and shouted, "Come out, everyone! Stop eating!"

"This is my badge. Don't you want to check it?" Lu Wenzhao still followed the rules and took off the badge that indicated his identity and handed it to the old postmaster.

He Yicheng, a lowly official with no official rank and no respect for the officials and servants, could only vent his complaints, let alone the notoriously aggressive Jinyiwei. He thought the officer was sarcastically rebuking him for his earlier rudeness, so he quickly waved his hand and said, "No need to examine, no need to examine. I was just blind and blind." He was afraid that the officer was fabricating charges to extort money.

"Rules are rules. You asked someone to come out to entertain you without verifying their identity. If it's a false claim, wouldn't that be a waste of national treasury money and grain?" Lu Wenzhao did not take back the badge and insisted that He Yicheng see it.

"Ah?" He Yicheng was shocked and suspicious: Is there such a person in the Jinyiwei?
However, seeing Lu Wenzhao's slightly tired but still solemn face, the old and wise He Yicheng keenly came to the conclusion: It really does exist.

He Yicheng heaved a sigh of relief. At least this Jinyiwei weren't out of the capital to plunder the land. Born during the Jiajing reign, He Yicheng had worked at this post station his entire life. He had served many Jinyiwei, most of whom were ruthless or even evil, taking the imperial edict as their own. Especially during the decade or so when the Wanli Emperor favored the mining supervisors and tax collectors, the Jinyiwei who led the imperial envoys out of the capital to arrest people were practically plundering as they went.

Not only did the post stations have to break the law and provide them with fine food and wine, they even had to pay to satisfy their greed. If they didn't comply with their wishes, beatings and scoldings were the least of their punishments. If they were caught and tortured to death in prison, they wouldn't even have a place to appeal.

"Then I'm sorry for the inconvenience." He Yicheng, following Lu Wenzhao's thoughts, took the badge and, after a few symbolic "close" glances, noticed that even the badge was perfectly straight. It wasn't one of those imperial badges with the inscription "Not used outside the capital," but rather a badge for a consulate, inscribed with "Imperial envoy, to be handed in upon completion."

"Alright." He Yicheng handed the badge back to Lu Wenzhao. "Master Qianhu, please come in." Of course, he wouldn't be so foolish as to add the word "deputy".

"Okay." Lu Wenzhao put away the badge and asked, "Where is the stable?"

"The officers have been through a lot of hard work, so just take a rest. Leave the small things like leading the horses and feeding them to us." He Yicheng said respectfully.

"Even if one person leads two horses, it's still not enough. Find someone to lead the way." Lu Wenzhao said.

"Good." He Yicheng had lived for so long, but this was the first time he had seen such a kind Jinyiwei. He asked someone to lead the way to the stables while he addressed the waiting postmen. "Light the fire in the kitchen and cook. Prepare the ingredients for cooking beans in the stables. And you guys, go make the beds. Remember to use the cleanest ones."

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The next day, at six o'clock in the morning, Lu Wenzhao's internal clock awoke him on cue. Soon after, the officers and students also awoke. Lu Wenzhao had instructed He Yicheng to prepare flatbread and boiled well water for them the previous night, so after changing their clothes, they rode their horses without a word and continued on their way to Tianjin.

"Stop! What are you doing?" During the day, people and horses frequently passed through the streets, so the gatekeepers usually didn't stop anyone for questioning. But Lu Wenzhao's group of over twenty, all on horseback, was a bit too conspicuous. "No horse racing in the city! Get down!" the Tianjin garrison officer on duty at that time shouted to Lu Wenzhao, the leader.

Lu Wenzhao looked down at the patch on the officer's chest, but couldn't make out what it was, so he couldn't determine what rank he was. However, Lu Wenzhao only thought about it for a moment before losing interest. After all, when the Jinyiwei left the capital, everyone they met was a superior. "Are you in charge?"

"Yes." Officials are all shrewd people who know how to respond to different people. Therefore, when the centurion saw the indifference in Lu Wenzhao's eyes, he immediately lowered his posture and prepared to smile flatteringly. "Excuse me, who are you?"

"Jinyiwei on duty." Lu Wenzhao did not dismount. Instead, he took off his waist badge and threw it to the captain. "This is my waist badge."

"Hu An, a captain of the Tianjin Garrison, greets the Captain!" Captain Hu didn't even glance at the captain. He just took a quick look and tiptoed to hand the badge back. "May I ask what your duties are, Captain?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Lu Wenzhao didn't want to waste any more time talking to him.

"I'm sorry for being too talkative. Please come this way." Captain Hu stretched out his hand, wanting to help Lu Wenzhao hold the reins, but Lu Wenzhao had no intention of letting Captain Hu be a temporary horseman.

"Where are you going?" Lu Wenzhao quickly tied the badge back to its original position.

"It's almost time for lunch. Please give me a favor and let me do my best to be a good host," Captain Hu said with a flattering smile.

Treating guests to a meal was a standard procedure for local officials at all levels, from the Wei, Suo, Zhou, County, and even the Sansi, to greet the angel envoy. Even if they couldn't curry favor with the angel, a large feast of wine could help them avoid disaster.

"No need. Just move aside and don't block my way. That will be your courtesy." Lu Wenzhao said with a cold face, not giving any face at all.

"Where are you going? I'll show you the way." Even though he was given a cold shoulder, Captain Hu's enthusiasm remained undiminished, and he kept a fake, flattering smile on his face.

"Get out of the way! I know the way." Lu Wenzhao said sternly with a heavier tone.

"Yes, yes." Captain Hu's heart trembled, his chrysanthemums tightened, and he quickly dodged to the side. He was keenly aware that something big seemed to be happening today.

Snapped!
Lu Wenzhao whipped his whip, creating a loud crack in the air, and shouted, "Make way!" The crowd parted, and he rode with a small flag, heading straight for the Tianjin Garrison Command Headquarters. Meanwhile, Lu Jianxing commanded another small flag with nine men, splitting them into three waves and heading towards the other three gates of Tianjin Garrison.

"From now on, the Jinyiwei East Office will take over Tianjin." Lu Jianxing did not leave himself. Instead, he stepped on the stirrup and dismounted. He said to Captain Hu, "Close the city gates. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

"What!" Captain Hu's eyes widened, and the flattering smile on his face turned into horror. "What are you going to do?"

"You'll know soon. Now find me a place to change into my official uniform." Lu Jianxing took off his cloak and handed it to Captain Hu, saying, "Don't worry. The East Office only catches big fish, and you're not high enough. As long as you're obedient, I'll keep you safe."

"Yes. I will obey the military orders from my superiors." With just one sentence, Lu Jianxing dispelled the fear and instinctive will to resist in Captain Hu's heart.

(End of this chapter)