Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 601 Past Events and a Show of Force
The winch slowly rotated, and the hinges retracted section by section. The moment the city gate began to move, the Korean delegation below the city gate also stopped in their tracks.

Tiger Mountain Gate is a typical example of a sluice gate, a type of suspended gate embedded in the city wall that rises and falls vertically using a pulley. Its most distinctive feature is that it lowers quickly but rises slowly.

When the city gate was halfway raised, Oh Yun-gyeom, the Joseon envoy at the head of the procession, vaguely saw the ceremonial flags and banners clustered about half a mile away.

Wu Yunqian's eyesight was failing. He squinted and stared at the banners for a long time but still couldn't make out the large characters. Left with no other option, Wu Yunqian turned to Liu Yingyuan, the deputy envoy standing beside him, and asked, "Deputy Envoy Liu, can you see the Chinese characters on those banners?"

"It seems to be 'avoidance' and 'silence,' it must be someone's ceremonial procession." Although Liu Yingyuan's eyesight was better than Wu Yunqian's, who was over sixty, it was still not good enough to see every word on the flag from half a mile away.

“‘Reorganize the military and prepare the Shandong Provincial Administration’s circuits,’” the clerk Li Qingquan spoke with a heavy regional accent, but the first part of the sentence was still in Chinese. “That can’t be the ceremonial procession of Military Commissioner Yuan Keli, can it?!”

"He came to greet us personally?" Wu Yunqian's hand gripping the reins suddenly tightened.

"I'm afraid this isn't a welcome." Liu Yingyuan swallowed hard.

"What else could it be but a welcome? That barrage of cannon fire from the south to the north of the mountain just now shows that this Councilor Yuan values ​​us highly, doesn't it?" Li Qingquan turned to look at the city wall and saw a row of cannons positioned side by side.

"A salute? I don't think so." Liu Yingyuan frowned slightly, his breathing seemingly even more disordered than when the cannons were fired earlier. "This isn't the first time I've fired cannons into the sky, but I've never seen them fired like this. I think this Mr. Yuan is probably here to give us a hard time."

"A show of force?" Li Qingquan looked past Wu Yunqian and at Liu Yingyuan. "Why?"

"Isn't it?"

"Li Xiuzhuan should know General Qiao Yiqi, right?" Liu Yingyuan asked in return.

Li Qingquan nodded. "What does this have to do with General Qiao?"

“This Councilor Yuan is General Qiao’s benefactor,” Liu Yingyuan said. “More than twenty years ago, during the Imjin War, Councilor Yuan saved General Qiao’s life. With this matter and that rumor put together, what does Compiler Li think Councilor Yuan will think?” Liu Yingyuan even thought that Yuan Keli took the initiative to ask for the newly established position of Councilor of Military Affairs in Zhenjiang because of this relationship.

"How did Vice Envoy Liu know about this?" Li Qingquan's eyes widened in surprise. "Have you met General Qiao?"

“Of course I’ve never met General Qiao,” Liu Yingyuan shook his head. “I only heard about this from others.”

"Who told you that?" Li Qingquan immediately pressed.

"Who else could it be? Of course it is..."

"Please stop talking, you two!" Wu Yunqian interrupted. "The door is about to open. Don't let Councilor Yuan think we're behaving improperly."

“Wu Zhengshi, as the saying goes, you can’t hit a smiling face,” Liu Yingyuan said, looking at the last section of the city gate that was about to disappear. “Why don’t we just accept this as a show of force?”

"Alright." Wu Yunqian agreed without any hesitation. He gripped the reins, dismounted, and slowly put on an expression of trepidation.

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Boom!
With a dull thud, the gates of Tiger Mountain were fully opened. Even the most optimistic Li Qingquan panicked at the sight of the two rows of guards stretching all the way to the ceremonial procession. The envoys clearly realized that this was no friendly welcome; it was a show of force!

Just as Wu Yunqian was secretly considering whether to go in voluntarily or wait for someone to summon him, two squads of fully armed infantry suddenly emerged from the hidden troop tunnels on either side of the city gate. Immediately afterward, a man dressed as a military officer appeared at the other end of the city gate.

Zhang Bei strode up to Wu Yunqian and stood there, while the two squads of infantry jogged to the left and right to surround the entire delegation.

"I am Zhang Shoulian, Deputy Commander of Hushan Pass. Greetings, Your Excellency." Commander Zhang bowed to Wu Yunqian, who was at the head of the group.

"I am Wu Yunqian, the Imperial Envoy of the King's Birthday. Greetings, General Zhang!" Wu Yunqian spoke in perfect Beijing dialect. "May I ask, General, is that the entourage of Councilor Yuan ahead?"

Zhang Shoulian was not surprised that the Korean envoys could speak Chinese, but he was still briefly taken aback when he heard such fluent and standard Beijing dialect. "Ahead is Councilor Yuan's entourage." Zhang Shoulian turned and waved his hand. "Councilor Yuan has been waiting here for a long time. Please follow me."

"Thank you for leading the way, General Zhang." Wu Yunqian smiled and bowed again.

Led by Zhang Shoulian, the delegation passed through the city gate, while the two squads of infantry slowly closed in behind them. After the last two soldiers, side by side, passed through the dent left by the heavy gate, the grating sound of hinges rubbing against the winch could be heard again.

Soldiers stood behind him, soldiers in front of him, and soldiers on his left and right. At that moment, Wu Yunqian felt as if he were not on his way to the capital to celebrate the birthday of the new emperor in the first year of the reign, but rather being escorted to the Meridian Gate to be presented as a prisoner.

Half a mile isn't a long distance, but it felt like it took forever.

Upon arriving before the ceremonial guard, Wu Yunqian saw two crimson civil official robes mounted on horseback, and a set of silver-scaled general's armor. Above the robes and armor, there seemed to be three indifferent faces devoid of any smile.

"Wu Yunqian, Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat of the Ming Dynasty Joseon, Imperial Envoy of the Holy Festival, and a subordinate official of our humble state, pays his respects to Councilor Yuan of the Supreme Kingdom, Councilor Gao of the Supreme Kingdom, and Commander Mao of the Supreme Kingdom!" Wu Yunqian stopped before the avoidance and silence signs and bowed respectfully from a distance. Liu Yingyuan and Li Qingquan, who were half a step behind him, were initially taken aback, but quickly followed suit, each announcing their names:
"I, Liu Yingyuan, a junior official of the Ministry of Rites of the Ming Dynasty Joseon, a deputy envoy appointed by the King for the Holy Festival, and a subordinate official of this small state, pay my respects to Councilor Yuan of the superior state, Councilor Gao of the superior state, and Commander Mao of the superior state!"

"Li Qingquan, Compiler of the Hongmungkan of the Ming Dynasty Joseon, Secretary of the Royal Mission, and Attendant of a Small State, pays his respects to Councilor Yuan of the Supreme Kingdom, Councilor Gao of the Supreme Kingdom, and Commander Mao of the Supreme Kingdom!"

Behind them, the members of the delegation who had received official titles bowed in respect, while the interpreters and government slaves who had not received official titles all knelt down.

Yuan Keli looked down at the delegation, some bowing and some kneeling, from afar, without making a move for a long time. Beside him, Gao Bangzuo and Mao Wenlong also looked straight ahead, showing no intention of joining in.

A moment later, Yuan Keli suddenly made a move. He quickly dismounted, and as soon as his feet touched the ground, a smile that seemed both real and fake appeared on his lips.

Seeing this, Gao Bangzuo and Mao Wenlong followed suit, putting on smiles as they walked toward the delegation.

"My name is Yuan Keli. Greetings to all the envoys." Yuan Keli stopped three steps away from Wu Yunqian. Gao Bangzuo and Mao Wenlong stood half a step behind him.

"My name is Gao Bangzuo. I greet you all, envoys." Gao Bangzuo had hesitated to state his official title, but since Yuan Keli had set an example, he followed suit.

"My name is Mao Wenlong. Greetings to all the envoys." Mao Wenlong's tone even carried a hint of contempt.

After bowing, Yuan Keli straightened up and walked forward. "Gentlemen from afar, I apologize for not being able to greet you properly."

"I dare not, I dare not!" Wu Yunqian immediately put on a flattered look. "Counselor Yuan, Councilor Gao, and Guerrilla Commander Mao are all important officials of the Celestial Empire. They have spared no expense to travel ten miles from the city to the border and have prepared such a grand salute. This humble subject is truly overwhelmed with gratitude!" He bowed deeply, almost as if he were putting his head on the ground.

“Haha,” Yuan Keli chuckled lightly, stepping forward to take Wu Yunqian’s arm. “These envoys have come specifically to wish His Majesty a happy birthday. As subjects entrusted with guarding our borders, how dare we be negligent?” “To be able to wish His Majesty a happy birthday is truly a great honor for our small nation.” Wu Yunqian raised his head, but still bowed. “According to custom, it should be us who pay a visit. Councilor Yuan, Councilor Gao, and Guerrilla Commander Mao have treated us with such great courtesy; we truly do not know how to repay them.”

"No need for formalities. We have already prepared a banquet at the post station, and we hope that you esteemed envoys will do us the honor of attending." Yuan Keli released Wu Yunqian and waved unceremoniously to the several kneeling horse-leading servants.

"You lot, bring the horses over here!" Lu Wenzhao, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke and ordered the government slaves in Korean.

The government slaves understood, but they were also stunned.

Wu Yunqian glanced at Lu Wenzhao subconsciously, then turned back to meet Yuan Keli's gaze.

"Bring the horse over quickly, don't keep the masters waiting!" Wu Yunqian ordered the official slave while sighing inwardly. He knew that he couldn't refuse this "trap" no matter what.

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Yuan Keli and his two companions left with their entourage and the Korean delegation, while Zhang Shoulian, the deputy commander of Hushan Pass, also returned to the city gate tower.

"Tong Beiyu, should we order the troops to regroup now, or wait a little longer?" Zhang Shoulian walked to Tong Qiaonian's side and leaned on the railing with him to look out.

"Let's wait a little longer." A cool river breeze blew by, making Tong Qiaonian shiver. "The last person in the line hasn't even crossed the river yet, has he?"

“Those are servants who carry loads for the Korean vassals. There’s no need to flatter them,” Zhang Shoulian said.

"Then let's call them back. Uh..." Tong Qiaonian stretched lazily. "Ah!"

"Didn't Tong Beiyu sleep well last night?" Zhang Shoulian took off his helmet and handed it to his attendant. This thing was covered with iron on the outside and lined with cotton on the inside; when the sun shone on it, it was like a small oven that burned your head.

"I can't sleep well." Tong Qiaonian also took off his helmet. "That's just how I am. I always have something on my mind."

"It's good to keep it in mind; that way, we can get things done properly," Zhang Shoulian said, offering a compliment. Then he called downstairs, "Fall back!"

After this shout, the soldiers facing the road turned towards the city gate one by one. They formed small squares of fifty men each, and then ran towards the city gate from near to far.

"Speaking of which day is His Majesty's birthday celebration?" Tong Qiaonian asked quietly, leaning against the railing.

"August 17th," Zhang Shoulian blurted out without thinking.

“No, that belonged to the late Emperor,” Tong Qiaonian said.

“Oops,” Zhang Shoulian lightly slapped himself. “That was the original Autumn Festival. August 11th, not too far off.”

"It's only April now, isn't it?" Tong Qiaonian asked.

"Hmm," Zhang Shoulian hadn't farmed in a long time and didn't pay much attention to the usual dates. "It should be almost May."

“It’s still more than three months away,” Tong Qiaonian said, gazing at the long line that was gradually disappearing into the distance. “This is too early. The distance between the capital and Zhenjiang is at most two thousand li. Even if we only travel forty li a day, it will only take fifty days, right?”

“They certainly aren’t heading straight for the capital,” Zhang Shoulian guessed. “They’ll be stopping and starting along the way, visiting various places, so they’ll have to leave some time for travel. Like today, they definitely can’t leave. And I think they’re probably also trying to gather military intelligence. They’ll probably stay in Zhenjiang for a few more days.”

"Mm." Tong Qiaonian nodded.

Zhang Shoulian continued, "If we stay in Zhenjiang for a few days, in Fenghuang for a few days, in Liaoyang for a few days, and in Haizhou for a few days, wouldn't that lengthen the time?"

“That makes sense,” Tong Qiaonian said, turning her gaze away. “You stay here and watch over things. I’m going to take the birds for a walk.”

The so-called "bird-walking" was basically just finding a place to relieve oneself. But one couldn't be too casual; at least, one couldn't run wild near the hollow watchtowers where soldiers and people lived. However, as the commander of this section of the border wall, even if Tong Qiaonian did such a thing, the soldiers living in the hollow watchtowers wouldn't dare to do anything to him.

"Haha," as the saying goes, "Seeing someone poop makes your bladder itch, seeing someone urinate makes your bladder swell," Zhang Shoulian hadn't felt the urge to urinate before, but after Tong Qiaonian said that, he suddenly felt the urge. "Let's go together, let's go together!"

"You want to compare the size of your bird with mine?" Tong Qiaonian teased.

“If you’re going to compete, do it here,” Zhang Shoulian chimed in, “Hedianzi, wanna go tonight?” Wherever there are military garrisons, there are prostitutes who make a living alongside them. Some prostitutes even migrate with the garrison for the sake of their regular clients. In Hedianzi, which Zhang Shoulian mentioned, there was such a small group of prostitutes who migrated from Liaoyang with Mao Wenlong’s guerrilla battalion.

"No money." Tong Qiaonian waved his hand. "Let's talk about it after we get paid."

"It's only been a few days?" Zhang Shoulian asked in confusion, "How come you're out of money again?"

“Those two money-devouring beasts sent a letter saying they wanted to buy books, so I sent all my military pay to Liaoyang. I only have some money left for rice.” Tong Qiaonian spread his hands. “Why don’t you treat me to a meal, and I’ll pay you back next month when I get my pay.”

“Sure, it’s on me,” Zhang Shoulian said with a smile. “But there’s no need for that.”

"So generous!" Tong Qiaonian reached out and put his arm around Zhang Shoulian's shoulder.

“No. I just don’t expect you to pay me back.” Zhang Shoulian waved his hand. “You always say that, but when the time comes, you’re never broke. You either need to buy books or pay tuition.”

"I'm not lying to you!" Tong Qiaonian released Zhang Shoulian again. But this was only because the two had reached the stairwell and could only pass one after the other. "Studying is really expensive. You'll understand when your son reaches school age." Compared to the cost of his son's education, the expenses of visiting brothels were pitifully small.

"Come on," Zhang Shoulian shook his head and said, "I have no intention of supporting those three brats' education."

"Not even one?" Tong Qiaonian turned around, only to stumble and fall.

Zhang Shoulian, quick as a flash, grabbed Tong Qiaonian. "I plan to save money and buy land first. Only with a stable property can we ensure our children can continue their studies. Otherwise, if I die in battle one day, those three boys will have no one to rely on, and they won't be able to continue their studies. But if we have land, even if our sons can't go to school, our grandsons can."

"Why do I feel like you're cursing me?" Tong Qiaonian gently patted Zhang Shoulian's hand that was holding her shoulder.

"How could that be?" Zhang Shoulian let go of Tong Qiaonian's hand and they went down the city together.

(End of this chapter)