Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 611 A Person of Influence

Shortly after the signed and stamped letter was sealed, Huang Yicheng was invited over by Wu Jiyu.

"Master, Chief Inspector Huang has arrived." Wu Jiyu was surprisingly able to speak fluent Chinese.

“Okay,” Wu Yunqian stood up and replied in Chinese. “Go ahead.”

Wu Jiyu bowed again and left, and Huang Yicheng also entered the study.

Huang Yicheng stopped almost as soon as he stepped over the threshold. "Greetings to Envoy Wu, Envoy Liu, Envoy Li," he said respectfully, his tone wary and distant.

"Huang Yicheng." Wu Yunqian didn't immediately grasp the subtlety of the situation. He approached Huang Yicheng, intending to repeat his old trick and pull off another "hidden power" act. However, before Wu Yunqian could even grasp Huang Yicheng's hand, Huang Yicheng dodged away as if pricked by a needle.

Having been publicly criticized by the Imperial Guards, Huang Yicheng dared not accept any more silver. He had originally intended to present the silver ingot to Imperial Envoy Lu, but Lu Wenzhao left immediately after speaking, not even giving him a chance to hint at his intentions. So the silver ingot from Korea remained in Huang Yicheng's arms, burning like a hot coal through his skin, silently searing his heart.

"Huang Yicheng, what are you doing?!" Wu Yunqian was caught off guard and was startled by the sudden withdrawal.

“Please speak freely, Envoy Wu,” Huang Yicheng bowed again. “If it is within my power, I will do my utmost.”

"Vice Envoy Liu intends to leave the country and return south." Wu Yunqian looked at Huang Yicheng with suspicion, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. "I would appreciate Huang Yicheng's assistance in handling things..." Before Wu Yunqian could finish speaking, Huang Yicheng interrupted him with a startled cry. "That's absolutely impossible!"

Huang Yicheng's mind went blank for a moment. The imperial envoy in brocade robes had just said he wanted to detain the Korean envoy, and Wu Yunqian had sent someone to summon him to say he wanted to leave the country. The coincidence was so great that even if Huang Yicheng knew nothing, he could keenly sense that something terrifying was brewing.

"Huang Yicheng, what's wrong with you?" Wu Yunqian watched helplessly as Huang Yicheng's face turned from yellow to red and then to white. His panicked appearance was as if he were possessed by an evil spirit.

"You're asking me? I want to know what's going on!" As he spoke, Huang Yicheng's sallow face trembled. "Wu Fan Envoy, why are you suddenly leaving the country and returning south?"

The sudden arrival of the Tartar messengers, the early arrival of the Korean imperial envoy, the hidden identity of the Imperial Guard envoy, the constantly gathering army, the letter requesting reinforcements sent to Liaoyang, and the urgent mail sent to the capital. All sorts of things kept flashing through Huang Yicheng's mind. If Wu Yunqian and Liu Yingyuan were not familiar faces, Huang Yicheng would have suspected that these people were Tartar spies under the guise of an envoy.

Wu Yunqian didn't know why Huang Yicheng was suddenly so agitated, but he still explained, "The Jurchen traitors have stationed their troops in Kuandian, and our country is in imminent danger, but Hanyang is completely unaware of this. Therefore, we must send someone back to inform the court so that our country can prepare to defend against the enemy and receive reinforcements from the Celestial Empire."

"No, I can't agree to this." Upon hearing this, Huang Yicheng's expression softened slightly, but he still refused. "You can just stay here at the post station."

"Why is this happening?" Wu Yunqian's eyes widened, and the ominous premonition in his heart grew stronger.

"I don't know either. If Envoy Wu has no other instructions, I will take my leave now." Without waiting for Wu Yunqian's reply, Huang Yicheng quickly bowed, turned around and left.

"Huang Yicheng!" Liu Yingyuan quickly caught up and blocked Huang Yicheng's path. "Did someone put in a good word for you?"

Huang Yicheng hesitated for a moment, then looked around to make sure no one was watching before lowering his voice and quietly replying, "Yes."

"Who?" Liu Yingyuan asked, frowning.

"I cannot tell you," Huang Yicheng shook his head like a rattle-drum.

"Is it Yuan Keli, the old councilor?" Liu Yingyuan immediately thought of Yuan Keli's old face, which was so cold it seemed to freeze the river.

"Please, don't ask anymore!" Huang Yicheng looked distressed, almost on the verge of tears. "Everyone, please just stay at the post station."

"They won't even let us leave the post station?" Liu Yingyuan immediately understood the implication of Huang Yicheng's words.

"Yes!" Having gone this far, Huang Yicheng no longer minced words. "Considering our past friendship, I'll be frank: the delegation is currently under house arrest! For the next few days, please stay in your lodgings and don't try to wander around." As if to persuade the delegation, Huang Yicheng added, "Rest assured, I will not skimp on your food and drink. As long as you don't make things difficult for me, whatever you need, I will do my best to find it for you!"

After saying that, Huang Yicheng took a step around Liu Yingyuan and walked towards the courtyard gate as if fleeing a disaster.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Liu Yingyuan jogged up and grabbed Huang Yicheng's hand. "Please wait!"

"Envoy Liu!" Huang, the postmaster, struggled to break free but couldn't. "I've made myself clear enough! It's not that I'm unwilling, but I have orders from above, and I really can't help you. Please spare me!"

"Then could you please pass on a message to Councilor Yuan?" Liu Yingyuan released Huang Yicheng and bowed apologetically.

Huang Yicheng calmed down for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Fine!"

--------

As evening fell, Yuan Keli and Gao Bangzuo returned to the post station under the escort of the Imperial Guards led by Lu Wenzhao and a troop of Mao's cavalry.

As soon as he dismounted, Huang Yicheng, looking flustered and anxious, came forward to greet him. "This humble servant pays respects to Councilor Yuan and Councilor Gao." After bowing to the two councilors, Huang Yicheng silently gave Lu Wenzhao the same respectful greeting.

"Hmm." Yuan Keli and his group didn't even look at Huang Yicheng properly. They just subconsciously responded and headed towards the inn.

Huang Yicheng reluctantly followed, until they reached the entrance of the inn where Yuan Keli and Gao Bangzuo were staying, where Lu Jianxing stopped him: "Stop, we don't need you here. Hurry up and have someone bring dinner over."

Huang Yicheng, who was referring to himself as "Young Master Lu," paused for a moment before changing his words to, "Ah no! Master Lu, I would like to say something to Councilor Yuan."

"Heh. Tell me what you want to say first." Lu Jianxing had no intention of letting him in.

"It's not that I have something to say, it's that the Korean envoy wants to see Councilor Yuan and sent me to deliver a message." Huang Yicheng thought that the person in front of him was probably also a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but he wasn't sure, so he spoke vaguely.

"A Korean requests an audience?" Lu Jianxing looked at Huang Yicheng with a puzzled expression.

"Yes!" Huang Yicheng nodded heavily.

“They’re staying at the post station,” Lu Jianxing tilted his head and glanced in the direction of the Korean post station. “Why did you have to deliver the message?”

"You don't know?" Huang Yicheng glanced at Lu Wenzhao's back.

This question stunned Lu Jianxing. After a brief moment of thought, he decisively turned around and said, "You wait here."

"Yes." Huang Yicheng stood there in a daze, seemingly lost in thought.

Lu Jianxing strode quickly and caught up with Lu Wenzhao. "Commander Lu."

"What's wrong?" Lu Wenzhao stopped in his tracks. "That postmaster surnamed Huang came over and said that the Koreans want to see Councilor Yuan," Lu Wenzhao replied.

"They found out so quickly?" Lu Wenzhao realized immediately.

"So they really put them under house arrest?" Lu Jianxing asked in a low voice.

"Mm." Lu Wenzhao nodded.

“Then I’ll go and send that postmaster away now,” Lu Jianxing said immediately.

"No rush, let's ask for instructions first." Lu Wenzhao waved his hand, turned around and chased after him into the study in a few steps.

Just then, Yuan Keli reached the desk. Seeing Lu Wenzhao enter, he didn't sit down. Gao Bangzuo, seeing Yuan Keli standing, stood up again.

"The food's here already?" Yuan Keli was exhausted and hungry, and her eyelids were drooping slightly.

"No, but it should be soon," Lu Wenzhao said with a smile and a shake of his head. "It's those Korean envoys who sent Huang, the postmaster, to request an audience. Should we see them?"

Yuan Keli narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered to himself, "So fast."

"Doesn't this just prove your wisdom and foresight?" Lu Wenzhao said, offering a quick compliment.

"Why don't they come themselves?" Gao Bangzu asked the same question in a different tone.

"This afternoon I asked Commander Lu to place them under house arrest. Councilor Gao should have heard that." Yuan Keli did not deliberately avoid Gao Bangzuo when asking Lu Wenzhao for a favor.

Gao Bangzuo nodded. "But you didn't forbid them from even leaving the gate, did you?" Gao Bangzuo remembered that Yuan Keli's order was simply to prevent the Korean delegation from leaving the post station.

"Perhaps I didn't explain clearly enough, and that Chief Huang misunderstood," Lu Wenzhao said, taking the blame.

“It’s easier to keep an eye on the post station than the post station. If I were Huang, the postmaster, I’d rather they didn’t go anywhere,” Yuan Keli added, trying to salvage the situation for Lu Wenzhao.

"Should we see them?" Lu Wenzhao asked with a smile, appreciating the gesture.

“Let them come,” Yuan Keli said, sitting down. “Let’s hear what they’re up to.”

"Yes." Lu Wenzhao clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, then turned and left.

--------

A short while later, Wu Yunqian arrived with Liu Yingyuan and Li Qingquan.

"I pay my respects to Councilor Yuan, Councilor Gao, and Commander Lu." Wu Yunqian and the other two did not announce their full official titles, but they still showed the proper etiquette between superiors and subordinates.

Yuan Keli stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and then sat back down in his original seat. "Please, all three of you, have a seat as well."

Wu Yunqian had no temper whatsoever, and dared not show the slightest disobedience. Yuan Keli showed them their seats, and Wu Yunqian obediently led Liu and Li to sit down on the chairs by the window in the study.

The setting sun slanted through the window, casting intermittent patches of orange-yellow light on the shoulders of the three people.

“The three envoys have come here, probably to question me about why I didn’t let the delegation leave the post station, right?” Yuan Keli didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

Wu Yunqian stiffened. He didn't even dare to kneel, and could only offer an almost fawning smile as he said, "How dare this humble official question his superior? This humble official is asking a question, seeking guidance."

"Hehe." Yuan Keli chuckled lightly: "Then I would like to ask Envoy Wu first, why is the Imperial Sacrifice delegation in such a hurry to leave this afternoon, having only just entered the country this morning?"

Wu Yunqian, who had already prepared his answer, immediately bowed and replied, “Councilor Yuan, our country is in dire straits, but the capital is completely unaware of this. Therefore, after discussing it, the three of us have decided to send Vice Envoy Liu back to the capital to report the situation of the enemy in Kuandian to His Majesty, and to request His Majesty to quickly execute the defeated and surrendered generals Jiang and Jin to appease the Celestial Empire. We hope that Councilor Yuan can do us a favor.”

"Should we send Envoy Liu back to the capital in person?" Yuan Keli looked at Liu Yingyuan.

"Yes," Wu and Liu said in unison.

"I don't think it's necessary." Yuan Keli was exhausted, but he still tried his best to maintain the dignity and authority befitting a minister of a superior state.

"Why does Councilor Yuan say such a thing?" Wu and Liu exchanged a glance.

"Judging from what Envoy Wu said this morning, the military strength of Korea has actually weakened to an unbelievable degree." Yuan Keli reached for the teacup in front of him and took a small sip. "Pyongyang is in turmoil, Anju is uneasy, the elite troops have been wiped out, and the whole country is in dire straits. With the situation so dire, what difference does it make whether the capital knows about the enemy's situation or not?"

Although all the corroborating evidence cited was said by Wu Yunqian himself, his face quickly turned red.

"You can't say it like that." To outsiders, Wu Yunqian's tone was already very humble, but as he spoke, he still felt that his words carried an inappropriate hint of assertiveness. So, Wu Yunqian swallowed the half-finished sentence and changed his words:
"That may be true, but it's better than knowing nothing at all. At the very least, we can order the prefectures of Gui, Ding, Ping, and An to prepare and strengthen their defenses to prevent the Jurchen rebels from sweeping through the city in one fell swoop. This will also buy time for the Heavenly Dynasty's reinforcements. Moreover, His Majesty is pleased to hear that the Heavenly Army is coming to our aid, and he will surely open the granaries to distribute grain and allocate funds to reward the Heavenly Army."

“That makes sense.” Yuan Keli nodded.

"Then tomorrow," Wu Yunqian was immediately delighted, and Liu Yingyuan's eyes also gleamed.

“How about this,” Yuan Keli interrupted Wu Yunqian. “The three envoys, together with me and Councilor Gao, will write a joint letter. After the letter is completed, I will send someone to the capital to present it to His Majesty the King. Of course, if you have already written your letters, Councilor Gao and I can sign and affix our seals to them now.”

Wu Yunqian's smile froze on his face.

"Is there anything wrong with that?" Yuan Keli asked in return.

Of course not! Although Wu Yunqian and his men did write a letter, and the main content of the letter was, as Wu Yunqian said, a report on the situation of the enemy and a request to execute the surrendered general, the letter contained a large number of rhetorical questions and admonitions.

Such advice was, of course, intended to persuade the king to pull back from the brink and repent. However, once outsiders read the letter, they could easily connect it to the subtle relationship between His Highness the king and the surrendered generals like Jiang and Jin. Wu Yunqian didn't need to think too much to know that, in such a sensitive period, such an association would be extremely fatal.

Wu Yunqian swallowed hard and picked up on what Liu Yingyuan had said earlier: "How can such an important matter be explained with just a letter? I think we should send someone of high standing to the capital to meet the king."

"A man of importance," Yuan Keli suddenly laughed. "What does the Wu envoy think of me?"

(End of this chapter)