Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 592 Confidentiality Measures
"Anything else!" The same question sounded warm and friendly when spoken by Yuan Keli, cold and indifferent when spoken by Lu Wenzhao, and stern and reprimanding when spoken by Bai Zaixiang.

“That’s all,” Bai Zaiyun shook her head blankly. “Unless they told someone else.”

"Guerrilla Mao." Upon hearing the translation, Yuan Keli immediately turned his head to look at Mao Wenlong.

Mao Wenlong was still lost in thought, completely unaware that Yuan Keli was talking to him.

"Mao the Guerrilla!" Yuan Keli called out again.

Mao Wenlong's thoughts were interrupted. He was startled at first, then looked in the direction of the voice, and sprang to his feet. "Here!"

Yuan Keli asked with a smile, "What was General Mao thinking about just now, lost in thought?"

"I... this humble general knows nothing..." The hairs on Mao Wenlong's back stood on end. In a moment of quick thinking, his mind raced. He vaguely recalled the last few questions Yuan Keli had asked the Bai sisters. "I'm wondering if we should quickly send someone to silence those who know the situation, to prevent the news from leaking out?"

Yuan Keli observed Mao Wenlong's reaction closely. He knew perfectly well that Mao Wenlong's absent-minded thoughts were definitely not about this. Yuan Keli even suspected that Mao Wenlong hadn't heard a single word he had said to the Bai sisters.

However, since Mao Wenlong had changed his answer, Yuan Keli stopped pressing him and making him feel awkward. "Commander Mao is right, and that's what I was thinking too. Although the Youyang Division brought the man back today, they were still heavily guarded and questioned along the way, so I'm afraid quite a few people know about this. How about this?"

Yuan Keli casually picked up a piece of white paper and quickly wrote down the names Bai Zaiyun had just mentioned. As soon as he finished writing, he handed the still-wet paper to Lu Wenzhao. "Please take this to Bai Sanmei for me. Have her check if there's anything missing?"

"Yes." As soon as Lu Wenzhao took the list, Bai Zaixiang walked over. "Please give it to me."

Lu Wenzhao was somewhat surprised; he hadn't translated a single word of Yuan Keli's words. "Please let your sister take another look and see if there are any missing names?" Lu Wenzhao handed over the list.

"Yes." Bai Zaixiang nodded and took a few steps to Bai Zaiyun. "Yun'er, quickly see if these are the people?"

"Hmph," Bai Zaiyun snorted at Bai Zaixiang, but still looked at it obediently. "It doesn't mention us or the messengers."

"Tsk, stop talking nonsense." Bai Zaixiang rolled her eyes at Bai Zaiyun and urged her to confirm, "Besides you, them, and those people above, is there anyone else who might know about this? Think carefully, this is very important!"

"It's gone!" Bai Zaiyun's voice rose several octaves. Judging from her tone, it sounded like she was about to cry again.

Bai Zaiyun felt truly wronged and devastated. How could such a thing happen in this world?! She had already tried so hard, yet she still repeatedly received disdain and public scolding from her older sister.

Bai Zaixiang didn't care what Bai Zaiyun thought at this moment, and walked back to the table with the list in her hand. "Master Yuan, these should be the people."

“Alright.” Yuan Keli took the list, putting on a kind, grandfatherly smile. “Madam Bai, why be so harsh on your sister? This is a great achievement.”

After listening to the translation, Bai Zaixiang shook her head with a wry smile. "What merit is there? It's just a lucky break. These Tartars came to communicate and pledge their loyalty; there's no need for this silly girl to interfere. Besides, they injured someone! If someone had died and things had gone wrong, it wouldn't have been a merit but a crime."

Translation takes time, and Bai Zaiyun heard the entire translation before Yuan Keli finished listening to Lu Wenzhao's. She glanced at her second sister and finally understood the full meaning of her sister's words at the tavern, "Don't be too happy." Thinking of the disappointed expressions on the faces of Fourth Aunt, Third Brother Yang, and Thirteenth Uncle when they were scolded along with her, she felt a burning sensation on her face and a sharp pain in her heart. Bai Zaiyun couldn't hold back anymore; a strong sense of self-abandonment welled up inside her, and tears streamed down her face.

“Ignorance is no excuse. They didn’t intentionally try to sabotage this,” Yuan Keli said meaningfully to Lu Wenzhao. Lu Wenzhao maintained his usual professional expression and translated truthfully.

"I'm afraid I can't comply!" Bai Zaixiang cupped her hands and said resolutely, "Military discipline should be strict rather than lenient. I must teach this silly girl a lesson."

“If merit is not rewarded, it will surely dampen the courage of the soldiers. I don’t care about the Bai family’s rules. As long as this matter is indeed helpful in suppressing the bandits, I will definitely report the merit to the Youyang Division according to the regulations.” Yuan Ke immediately put on a stern face and pointed at the letter with his fingertip. “Otherwise, when the soldiers see the Tartars, they will all think they are messengers of some chieftain and cower in fear. There’s no point in fighting this battle.”

“Even if we’re really going to discuss merits, I’d like to ask Master Yuan to make up for it. After all, this silly girl didn’t follow my plan and even led the troops astray on her own.” Bai Zaixiang bowed deeply. “If she’s still being commended for this, then I’m afraid no one will listen to my orders.”

Yuan Keli remained silent for a moment. "We'll discuss merits and demerits later. Please, Madam Bai, go back and sit down."

"Yes." Bai Zaixiang bowed again and turned around, immediately seeing Bai Zaiyun's silent tears welling up. Her heart softened, but she still returned to her seat without saying anything.

“Guerrilla Mao.” Yuan Keli then looked at Mao Wenlong.

"Yes!" This time, Mao Wenlong stopped overthinking and responded immediately.

“Please replace all these people and recall them,” Yuan Keli placed the list on the edge of the major case. “Go now.”

"Yes." Mao Wenlong took the list without even glancing at it, then turned and left.

"Guerrilla Mao, please wait!" Gao Bangzuo suddenly called out to Mao Wenlong as he was about to leave.

"What are your orders, Councilor Gao?" Mao Wenlong turned to look at Gao Bangzuo, and everyone else looked at him as well. Only Bai Jia Sanmei remained there, silently shedding tears.

Gao Bangzuo did not speak to Mao Wenlong immediately, but turned to look at Yuan Keli, who was sitting in the main seat. "Lord Yuan," Gao Bangzuo was more particular. Although he knew that secrecy was necessary at the moment, he was unwilling to use false titles such as "Counselor" or "Military Commissioner" to address Yuan Keli. "In my opinion, there is no need to recall those people. Just issue a gag order."

"What insightful opinions does Senior Councilor Gao have?" Yuan Keli asked.

“In my opinion, if this letter is indeed from the chieftain of Nanguan, and if this chieftain truly intends to defect and cooperate with us from within, then we must reply to him,” Gao Bangzuo glanced at the mangku in the corner. “Writing and replying to letters requires someone to receive and deliver them. Rather than arranging for someone else to do it later, it’s better to let the person who already knows about this be in charge. This way, we can avoid many unnecessary complications.”

“Counselor Gao’s concerns are reasonable,” Yuan Keli nodded slightly, “but are these people reliable?”

Gao Bangzuo certainly couldn't guarantee it, and could only silently look at Mao Wenlong standing at the door.

Mao Wenlong understood the meaning behind that look. He then unfolded the list and examined it carefully. "Tong Beiyu and Zhang Beiyu are both my personal guards who have followed me for many years. They are consistently steady and reliable. Even if I didn't speak to them, they would know the gravity of the matter. As for that Captain Qiu, he wasn't brought by me. He was originally stationed in Zhenjiang, and I don't know him very well. However, I believe that since Captain Qiu is stationed at the border outpost, he must be a brave and resolute man. I might as well trust him a little and give him an order."

“Yes.” Yuan Keli nodded immediately. “I trust Mao’s judgment. Go and make the arrangements.”

Yuan Keli's tone was calm, but it still warmed Mao Wenlong's heart. He immediately cupped his hands and solemnly said, "This humble general will go immediately!"

--------

About fifteen minutes later, a group of Mao's personal guards, carrying two short secret letters and unlit torches, rode out of Zhenjiang City. At the same time, Mao Wenlong trotted back to the guerrilla general's mansion. When Mao Wenlong returned, the Bai sisters, Bai Zaiying and Bai Zaiyun, had already left, but the Tartar messenger was still cowering in a corner.

"I am late and have kept you all waiting. Please forgive me." Mao Wenlong stepped over the threshold, walked to the open space between the sand table and the large desk, and clasped his hands in a respectful gesture to everyone.

“Guerrilla Mao needn’t take it to heart,” Yuan Keli said with a smile, gesturing to Mao Wenlong’s seat. “Please sit down.”

"Yes." Mao Wenlong bowed again and sat down.

“Commander Lu,” Yuan Keli turned his head to look at Lu Jianxing, who was still holding the rope and gripping the hilt of his sword. “Please bring that Tartar over here.”

“Come here,” Lu Jianxing tugged at the rope and said in Jurchen, “It’s time to ask you some questions.”

"Yes, that's right." Mangku's heart had been pounding, and now it was pounding like a drum. He followed Lu Jianxing, trembling, around the covered area of ​​the sand table, and walked to the spot where Mao Wenlong had been standing.

This time, Lu Jianxing loosened the rope, allowing Mangku to kneel down smoothly. "This servant Mangku greets Master 'Gao Bangzuo'!"

"What did you say? Who are you paying respects to?" Lu Wenzhao's Jurchen language skills were quite high, but he was still confused by those three strange syllables.

Gao Bangzuo was startled. Although he couldn't understand Jurchen, he was still very sensitive about his own name.

"Your humble servant Mangku pays his respects to Master 'Gao Bangzuo'!" Mangku raised his voice and kowtowed again.

Now, not only Gao Bangzuo's expression changed, but Yuan Keli and Mao Wenlong also clearly heard the word. Only Bai Zaixiang, who knew nothing about both Northern Mandarin and Jurchen, remained bewildered.

“He seems to regard you as a senior political advisor,” Lu Wenzhao said to Yuan Keli.

“Please ask him for me,” Yuan Keli said expressionlessly, but couldn’t help glancing at Gao Bangzuo. “Just ask him how he knows ‘Gao Bangzuo’.” To avoid offending Gao Bangzuo, Yuan Keli deliberately imitated the Mangku Jurchen accent as a way of avoiding the topic.

"How did you find out about 'Gao Bangzuo'?" Lu Wenzhao asked the same question.

“Amin Beile clearly told his servant to deliver the letter to a master named ‘Gao Bangzuo’,” Mangku said, prostrating himself on the ground.

Lu Wenzhao briefly stated, "The bandit leader, Amin, specifically instructed him to deliver that letter to Councilor Gao."

Yuan Keli hesitated for a moment. "Tell him that I am not Councilor Gao, but Councilor Yuan."

"Are we really going to tell him?" Lu Wenzhao asked to confirm.

"That Ah Ming will find out sooner or later." Yuan Keli picked up the letter again and looked at it carefully.

Lu Wenzhao nodded emphatically and said, "Listen carefully! The person in front of you is not Master Gao Bangzuo, but Master Yuan Keli!"

"Master Yuan Keli?" Mangku asked in confusion, "And where is Master Gao Bangzuo?"

"He asked where Gao Canzheng is? Should we tell him?" Lu Wenzhao looked straight ahead, giving Mangku no hint whatsoever.

"Let's see what Councilor Gao has to say." Yuan Keli read the letter repeatedly without looking up.

"Just tell him." After listening for so long, Gao Bangzuo finally breathed a sigh of relief. This series of questions and answers was tantamount to clearing him of the last suspicion of treason in front of everyone.

“‘Gao Bangzuo’ is this one!” Lu Wenzhao waved his hand toward the head of the table below Yuan Keli, who was Gao Bangzuo sitting next to Mangku.

Mangku was stunned for a moment, then kowtowed and said, "This servant pays respects to Master Yuan Keli! Pays respects to Master Gao Bangzuo!" Even if Mangku didn't understand the rules of the Ming Dynasty, he understood that the person sitting in the middle was the top leader and the person sitting below was the second-in-command. So after kowtowing, Mangku turned around and faced Yuan Keli directly.

“Let him stand up and speak,” Yuan Keli said to Lu Jianxing.

"Master Yuan wants you to stand up and speak." Lu Jianxing gently kicked Mangku's shin.

"Thank you, sir!" Mangku bowed again and stood up.

"Ask him if he knows the contents of this letter?" Yuan Keli held up the letter as Lu Wenzhao translated.

“Reporting to Master,” Mangku shook his head and said, “this servant does not know.”

“He said he didn’t know,” Lu Wenzhao translated.

boom!
"You're lying!" Yuan Keli slammed his fist on the table, his face contorted with rage, and gave Lu Wenzhao a meaningful look. "A messenger who was present the entire time the letter was being written dares to say he didn't know what was in it?"

Lu Wenzhao understood, and while translating, he also glared angrily and raised his voice.

Mangku was startled by the sudden, stern voice and knelt down. "Master, I was not present when Prince Wuergu wrote the letter!"

He said he wasn't there.

“You’re lying! It clearly states here that when Amin and ‘Urqut’ met in secret, the Tartar messengers were present, and there were only three of them!” Yuan Keli said sternly, holding up the “question and answer” written by Qiu Julu himself.

After listening to the translation, Mangku immediately understood that the men who escorted him had not only brought back their written conversation, but had also written down his conversation with the guard and reported it to the magistrate in front of him.

"Master Yuan Keli, when Prince Amin and Prince Wuergu were having their secret meeting, I was indeed at the salt warehouse, and I did move those tables and chairs there. But while they were talking and writing letters, I was outside the whole time. I don't know what they said or what was written in the letters!" Mangku explained, sweating profusely.

(End of this chapter)