Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 361 In this world, where is there not a crumbling wall?
The word "Get out!" was like thunder from the heavens, still echoing in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The cold gold bricks in the hall reflected the pale faces of the officials and the trembling hems of their court robes.

Two Imperial Guard captains, clad in black armor and expressionless, dragged the already limp and dazed Qian Shizhen and Li Changgeng out as if they were dead dogs.

The official hat was askew, and the court boots left two harsh, powerless marks on the gold bricks, just like the dignity of the two men that had been completely torn apart at this moment.

No one dared to speak, no one dared to act.

In the palace, the throne is empty.

The figure beneath the throne had already turned around and ascended the steps.

In the dim light of the hall, the golden dragon on the black robe seemed to come alive, its scales opening and closing, exuding the emperor's boundless majesty and cruelty.

Quiet.

It was so quiet that you could hear the faint crackling sound of the last wisp of sandalwood burning out in the incense burner.

It was so quiet that you could hear the heavy, suppressed breathing of the nearby officials and the faint sound of cold sweat dripping onto the gold bricks.

On the throne, the emperor's figure was shrouded in the shadows of the deep palace, only his eyes shone brightly, like two cold stars overlooking all living beings in the dark night.

He said nothing.

He just watched.

This silent gaze is more oppressive than any thunderous rage.

That gaze was like an invisible giant hammer, slowly and firmly hammering those words of piercing intent into the very marrow of everyone present!
"The court session is over."

Wang Chengen's slightly high-pitched voice sounded like heavenly music to everyone's ears at that moment.

“Long live my emperor, long live long live—”

A sound like a mountain roaring and a tsunami erupted, yet it carried the weakness and trembling of someone who had survived a catastrophe.

The officials, as if granted a pardon, retreated in a disheveled manner, bowing deeply. Only when they exited the Hall of Supreme Harmony and were exposed to the somewhat glaring afternoon sun did many realize that their backs were already soaked with cold sweat.

They all understood one thing.

A momentous event that could shake the world and change the face of Liaodong.

The emperor is about to attack.

It's not a minor border skirmish, nor a tug-of-war over the gain or loss of a single city or territory.

It is a national war that aims to achieve victory in one decisive battle!

As the officials departed like a receding tide, the Hall of Supreme Harmony returned to its desolate state.

……

In the capital, an inconspicuous courtyard.

Here, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, and an old locust tree in the courtyard, it is no different from the courtyard of any ordinary family in Beijing.

However, this place is the nerve center of Andu Prefecture, one of the most mysterious and terrifying institutions in the Ming Empire.

At this time, those walking around the courtyard were all capable men dressed in black flying fish robes or blue official robes.

They walked briskly, their expressions solemn, without exchanging a single idle word. The only sounds in the air were the turning of pages and the soft rustling of charcoal pencils across the sand table.

This is the night of day, the abyss beneath the sunlight.

Inside the east wing, a solitary lamp flickered dimly, and even in broad daylight, the room remained completely isolated from all light and sound from the outside.

Lu Wenzhao sat behind a mountain of documents, his eyes bloodshot, with dark circles under his eyes.

Before him lay a huge map of Liaodong, covered with dense symbols and lines marked with charcoal in four colors: red, black, blue, and green.

On the table was a pot of strong tea that had long since gone cold, and next to it was a plate of hardened pastries, clearly untouched for several hours.

With his charcoal pencil, he quickly wrote annotations on a secret report that had just been delivered from Shanhaiguan by a messenger on an urgent 300-li journey.

The handwriting is slender and vigorous, its strength penetrating the paper.

As the director of the "Foreign Intelligence Division" under Andu Prefecture, he couldn't remember the last time he lay on his own bed, listening to his wife's nagging as he fell asleep.

Perhaps it was three months ago, or perhaps it was six months ago.

All he remembered was that ever since he became the director, time seemed to have sped up throughout the Ming Dynasty.

"To know the weight of mountains and rivers, one must first undertake the journey in the dark of night."

This was the first thing the emperor said to them when he established Andu Prefecture.

Lu Wenzhao did not understand its meaning at first, but now it is etched in his memory.

What he faced every day was the heaviest and darkest side of this empire.

His work had no chance of being recorded in history, nor did it bring him the kind of reputation that civil officials craved.

They are the cornerstones of the empire, buried deep underground, bearing untold pressures, supporting the towering buildings above.

"Chief," a subordinate entered silently, his voice hushed, "The Governor-General has sent word that His Majesty... is furious."

As Lu Wenzhao listened to his subordinate's report, his pen paused, leaving a deep black ink dot on the paper.

He didn't look up, but simply asked, "Qian Shizhen, Li Changgeng?"

"Yes. It is said that His Majesty compared them to Qin Hui, and the two collapsed on the spot. They were dismissed from their posts and reassigned as 'wartime inspectors' and sent to Liaodong alone."

Lu Wenzhao sneered.

He put down his pen, rubbed his aching temples, and slowly stood up.

The debate in the court ended, and the real test for these night stalkers began.

He carefully placed the "Monthly Report on the Dynamics of the Banners and Cavalry of the Eastern Jurchens (Xuanzi No. 7)" that he had just finished annotating on the table, along with several other files, into a black lacquered and gold-painted box and locked it.

……

After an incense stick had burned, Lu Wenzhao met with Tian Ergeng, the governor of Andu Prefecture.

Unlike Lu Wenzhao's weary and refined demeanor, Tian Ergeng had a cold and stern face and a burly physique. Even in his casual clothes, he couldn't hide the murderous aura that came from years of walking through blades and seas of blood.

He simply sat there quietly, like a tiger lying in wait.

Several other people sat to his left and right, the heads of various departments in Andu Prefecture.

"Everything has arrived." Tian Ergeng's voice was low and hoarse. He glanced at the box in Lu Wenzhao's hand. "Wenzhao, is everything on your end ready?"

Lu Wenzhao nodded: "Your Excellency, everything is ready. The intelligence reports from Liaodong, Korea, and Mongolia over the past month, as well as the anti-espionage work reports from the capital, Dengzhou, Laizhou, and Tianjin, are all contained here."

Tian Ergeng grunted in agreement and stood up. "Let's go. His Majesty is waiting for us."

The procession from Andu Prefecture did not have a large entourage.

There were only a few inconspicuous black carriages, each followed by twelve guards riding pure black horses.

The carriage drove out of the courtyard and merged into the bustling streets of the capital.

The wheels rolled and rolled over the bluestone road.

As the carriage traveled to a certain place, they happened to hear people talking loudly in a roadside restaurant, and their voices came through the carriage window.

"Have you heard? This morning at court, Lord Qian and Lord Li, for the sake of our people, risked their lives to plead with His Majesty to negotiate peace with the Jurchens!"

"Really? That's truly divine retribution! If this war continues, how will we survive!"

"That's right! If you ask me, we should negotiate peace! At worst, we'll give some silver in exchange for a few decades of peace. It's worth it!"

Inside the carriage, Zuo Liangyu looked at Lu Wenzhao and said softly, "Director Li, it seems that your Public Opinion Department has been somewhat lax lately. Such pronouncements of national ruin can actually be spread so confidently right under the emperor's nose."

Lu Wenzhao remained expressionless and said calmly, "Preventing people from speaking is more difficult than preventing a river from overflowing. It's better to guide than to block. These comments can be used as bait to see which fish will willingly come up to take the bait."

His voice had become sharper: "Besides, these voices will soon disappear."

Lu Wenzhao stopped wiping the knife handle. He looked up at the bustling restaurant outside the car window, his eyes calm, yet the air seemed to grow colder.

Tian Ergeng kept his eyes closed and rested until the carriage entered Dong'an Gate and was about to enter the imperial city area, at which point he slowly spoke.

"The will of Heaven is our will. The blade in His Majesty's heart has been drawn, and we are its sharp edge. The matter we must present to His Majesty concerns the fate of the nation. A single word can save ten thousand lives or kill ten thousand. All of you, be alert!"

"Yes, Your Excellency," the three replied in unison.

The wheels rolled on, traversing the bustling bluestone streets of the capital, until the carriage finally came to a slow stop outside the Xihua Gate.

The group got off the car, with Tian Ergeng in front, followed closely by Lu Wenzhao, Zuo Liangyu, and others.

The imperial guards guarding the palace gates were clad in bright armor. Upon seeing that it was a standard carriage from Andu Prefecture and Tian Ergeng was the leader, they did not question him. Instead, one of the captains stepped forward, examined the black iron waist token shown by Tian Ergeng, bowed, and stood to the side, gesturing for him to enter.

Entering from the Xihua Gate and heading towards the Wuying Hall, it is a long and quiet palace road.

The four men remained silent, their identical official boots clicking rhythmically on the polished flagstones.

The sound echoed through the empty palace corridors, flanked by vermilion palace walls and solemn halls, silent and dignified, as if they had watched countless people pass by since their founding, some heading towards glory, others towards destruction.

The further in you go, the more heavily guarded it becomes.

The ordinary palace guards gradually transformed into imperial bodyguards clad in heavy armor and wielding long halberds. Their gazes were sharp as knives, slowly shifting as the four men moved.

Upon arriving at a plaza, a magnificent hall appeared before us—the Wuying Hall.

A familiar figure with a slightly bowed posture and fair complexion was already waiting beneath the steps of the palace.

It was Wang Chengen, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Upon seeing Tian Ergeng and his group, his usually smiling face turned unusually serious. He quickly stepped forward to greet them, skipping all formalities.

“Governor Tian, ​​gentlemen, His Majesty is waiting for you inside.” He stepped aside to lead the way, his voice extremely low, as if afraid of disturbing the storm brewing inside the hall.

The four men straightened their clothes and followed Wang Chengen into the Wuying Hall.

In the very center of the hall is a huge sand table that occupies nearly half of the space.

Several large tables were placed next to the sand table, piled high with books and documents.

The emperor, dressed in a practical outfit, stood with his hands behind his back in front of a huge sand table. His shadow, cast by the light from the palace roof, stretched out and almost covered the entire map.

The four of them knelt down in unison. "Rise."

The emperor's voice came through, still calm.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After the four people stood up, they stood respectfully with their hands at their sides.

The emperor took a slender silver rod from the brush holder next to the sand table; the tip of the rod was inlaid with a red agate.

"Wen Zhao," he called softly.

Upon hearing this, Lu Wenzhao immediately stepped forward, took out the black lacquered and gold-trimmed combination box from his bosom, and held it above his head with both hands: "Your Majesty, this is the summary of intelligence from the Foreign Intelligence Division of Andu Prefecture over the past month, all of which are contained here."

Wang Chengen understood, quickly stepped forward, took the coded box, and presented it to the emperor.

The emperor accepted the box but did not let Wang Chengen do it for him. Instead, he personally used a small key he carried with him to open the copper lock. The lid opened, and there was no dazzling jewelry as expected, only rolls of documents bound with different colored silk threads, lying quietly inside.

The emperor took out a scroll bound with black silk thread and slowly unrolled it.

It was a hand-drawn map, more detailed than the sand table, covered with small dots and arrows marked in vermilion, which was the "Monthly Report on the Dynamics of the Banners and Regiments of the Eastern Jurchen".

"Speak," the emperor said, his voice remaining calm.

Lu Wenzhao took a deep breath and began his report.

"Your Majesty, observing the movements of the Jurchens is like watching a tiger in the forest; observing the direction of the Mongols is like observing the wind on the desert. In the past month, there have been two changes and three unchanged events within the Jurchens."

His words, though rhyming in classical Chinese, were always to the point.

"One thing that remains unchanged is the training of the troops. Huang Taiji is increasingly relying on the Han Army Banner and artillery. He conducts day and night drills in the vicinity of Shengjing, practicing artillery formations and infantry-cavalry coordination. The sharpness of the firearms and the skill of the soldiers have improved compared to last year."

"The second constant is the stockpiling of supplies. The Jurchens live in harsh climates and produce little. However, they have devoted the strength of their nation to establishing granaries and armories in Liaoyang, Shenyang, and Haizhou. Although our border is blocked, they can still obtain supplies piecemeal through smuggling from places like Korea. Little by little, their grain can sustain them for half a year of war, and they also have surplus iron and gunpowder."

"The third constant is their ambition to invade. Their scout cavalry frequently raid the Guangning and Jinzhou line, and their scouts reach as far as the border wall of Jizhou. Like hungry wolves, they are always looking for weaknesses in our Great Ming."

The emperor listened quietly, his silver rod lightly tracing a line between Jinzhou and Guangning on the sand table, leaving an invisible trail.

Lu Wenzhao changed the subject: "The first change is the undercurrent within the government. Since Huang Taiji secured his position, the system of joint rule by the four Beile has become a mere formality. People like Amin and Mangultai are resentful, and their relationship with Huang Taiji is only superficial. Our 'Candle Dragon' spies from Andu Prefecture reported that Mangultai once drew his sword and beheaded his mother in a drunken rage in his residence, which shows his violent nature. This is an opportunity to take advantage of."

"Secondly, there was a change in the hearts of the people. The Han people of Liaodong had suffered from war for a long time, and nine out of ten houses were empty. Huang Taiji implemented the policy of 'using Han people to control Han people,' and many Liaodong generals who had surrendered served him. However, his harsh policies were like a tiger, forcing people to shave their heads and change their clothes, and seizing land to enslave people. The people's resentment was boiling. This was the fuel under the pot, just waiting for the fire to be lit."

After Lu Wenzhao finished his report, the hall fell silent once again.

The emperor gently tapped the location of Shengjing on the sand table with the silver rod in his hand.

"Huang Taiji... how does he compare to Nurhaci?"

This is an extremely broad question.

Lu Wenzhao pondered for a moment and replied, “Nurhaci was a lion of the wilderness, who expanded his territory with his strength and claws. He was fierce and domineering. Huang Taiji, on the other hand, was a tiger king of the deep mountains. He not only had sharp claws and fangs, but also knew how to ambush, how to be patient, and how to form alliances. Your Majesty, the lion’s courage is still in the open; the tiger’s heart is hidden deep within. Huang Taiji is even more terrifying than his father.”

“An even more formidable opponent…” the emperor repeated in a low voice, his tone unreadable, neither praising nor warning.

Lu Wenzhao bowed and continued:

"Since His Majesty issued the secret order for pacification, the Internal Investigation Division of Andu Prefecture, in conjunction with the Capital Region Operations Division, has been conducting operations in the capital region, Xuanda, and Jiliao for ninety-seven days, deploying three hundred Class A spies and one thousand two hundred Class B assistants."

"Three days ago, on the day of the Awakening of Insects, at midnight, the three locations acted simultaneously."

He did not describe the process, but the four people in the hall could imagine how a bloody storm was stirred up in the silence of the capital and the border that night.

"Within the capital region, a total of thirty-seven Jurchen spies were eliminated. Among them, three were infiltrated among the officials of the Six Ministries, five were infiltrated among the officers of the Beijing Garrison, and the rest were merchants and porters. A total of one hundred and twenty-nine people were captured alive, and forty-seven were killed on the spot. The leader was Yang Qingyuan, the principal of the Fujian Department of the Ministry of Revenue."

"Yang Qingyuan?" A flicker of emotion finally appeared in the emperor's eyes. This man was known for his integrity, and the emperor had a strong impression of him.

“Yes,” Lu Wenzhao said. “He appears to be honest and incorruptible, not greedy for money, but his cousin was captured in the Battle of Sarhu, and his entire family is in the hands of the Jurchens. Huang Taiji used this to blackmail him, ordering him to pass on intelligence about the Ming Dynasty’s grain and fodder allocation and the strength of the Beijing garrison. His channel for passing on intelligence is a tavern in the south of the city, and the manager and the waiter are all Jurchen spies.”

"That night, three hundred elite soldiers from the Capital Region Operations Division descended like heavenly troops. Seventeen men, from the manager down, were captured before they could utter a single cry. A copy of a secret letter and tokens of communication with Yang Qingyuan were found in the well in his backyard."

At this moment, Zuo Liangyu stepped forward and added, "Your Majesty, to avoid alerting the enemy, when we captured Yang Qingyuan, we disguised ourselves as servants of the Eastern Depot and took him away from his home on the pretext of embezzlement. To this day, the outer court only thinks that the Inspectorate is handling a corruption case, and no one knows that he is actually colluding with the enemy."

"Well done." The Emperor nodded. "If you're going to be a lackey, you must act like one. Do the dirtiest jobs and take the blame for the worst. What will be done with Yang Qingyuan and his family?"

"Yang Qingyuan himself has been secretly interrogated by the Internal Investigation Department and has revealed everything he knows. He will die of illness in prison in three days. To avoid leaks, his family in the capital will also 'fall ill and unfortunately die.'" Lu Wenzhao's tone was as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

The emperor remained noncommittal, turning his gaze back to Lu Wenzhao.

"What about the border?"

"The achievements on the border surpass those in the capital." A cold smile flashed across Lu Wenzhao's face.

"His Majesty's reward order for reporting those who treason will be rewarded with half of their property is a stroke of genius. His Majesty once said that profit can drive away ghosts and thieves, and he has truly not lied to me."

"This order shook the entire border region. At first, no one dared to believe it, until Li Gan, the garrison commander of Datong Town, reported that his in-laws, the Zhang family, had been smuggling iron ore to the Jurchens for many years. Our Investigation Division followed the clues and, after verifying the facts, publicly executed the entire Zhang family and confiscated their property of 230,000 taels of silver. In accordance with His Majesty's decree, 115,000 taels of silver were awarded to Li Gan on the spot. The silver was piled up like a mountain at the entrance of Datong Town, and the people who came to watch were packed with onlookers."

"From then on, the atmosphere on the border changed drastically." Lu Wenzhao's voice carried a hint of emotion. "Fathers and sons distrusted each other, and brothers turned against each other. The once unbreakable smuggling network crumbled in the face of real money. A month after the Zhang family case in Datong, we cracked more than seventy smuggling cases of all sizes based solely on tips, beheaded more than three hundred people, and seized iron, salt, and medicinal materials that piled up like mountains."

"Now, in the nine border towns, merchants smuggling to the Jurchens have almost disappeared. Instead, countless scoundrels have risen up. Everyone is in danger, yet everyone is also self-righteous. The former routes to wealth beyond the Great Wall have become dead ends leading to the underworld. We have cut off more than 90% of the Jurchens' supply channels within the Great Wall."

"If trade routes are cut off, the enemy will run out of supplies; if people's hearts are in doubt, our secret lines will be severed," Zuo Liangyu added quietly from the side.

After listening, the emperor slowly turned around.

This was the first time he had truly looked at the four ministers before him.

"Only after the courtyard is cleaned can guests be entertained."

The emperor's voice rang out in the hall, carrying the quality of metal striking stone.

"Now that my courtyard is clean, I shall invite unpleasant guests to my door."

He casually tossed the black flag he was holding onto the spot representing Shengjing, as if it were a sacrifice to the tiger.

"Use weapons as cups and cannon fire as ritual music, and send them back to dust."

These words, though lacking in murderous intent, were more chilling than any grand pronouncement.

The four of them knelt down again.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

The emperor ignored their kneeling and bowing. His gaze passed over Liaodong and finally landed on a point on the Shandong Peninsula on the sand table.

Dengzhou.

"With the matters concerning the capital and the border settled, I am somewhat at ease." He gently touched the two characters "Dengzhou" with his finger. "However, the preparations for Dengzhou are related to the fate of the nation. I will not be at ease until I see them with my own eyes."

Upon hearing this, Tian Ergeng's heart skipped a beat.

"Your Majesty..." he was about to speak and offer his advice.

"My mind is made up," the emperor interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Tian Ergeng's voice remained cold and rational: "Your Majesty, the Investigation Department has the latest intelligence. The Jurchens are paying close attention to our defenses in Dengzhou and Laizhou. Their offers are rising daily. With such a high reward, there will surely be brave men; but even under the sharp blade, there will be those who will flee for their lives. I am worried that if we launch a large-scale eastern tour, there may be unforeseen circumstances."

"Is there something unforeseen?" the emperor laughed.

He walked up to Tian Ergeng and personally helped him up.

This gesture flattered the governor of Andu Prefecture.

“Tian Ergeng.” The emperor looked into his eyes.

"The minister is here."

"I will not use any ceremonial procession, nor will I disturb the officials. I will arrive in Dengzhou and Laizhou like a lightning bolt unnoticed. What I want to see is not a whitewashed peace, nor a drill rehearsal for welcoming me. I want to see the most real ships, the most real cannons, the most real soldiers, and... the most real granaries."

The emperor lowered his voice.

"Tomorrow at noon, leave the city through Desheng Gate."

The emperor patted Tian Ergeng on the shoulder, looking at the worry on their faces.

"A crumbling wall?" He walked to the huge sand table, reached out, and gently stroked the land that represented the Ming Dynasty.

"Where in this world is there not a crumbling wall?"

His voice became distant and profound.

"When the iron hooves of the Jurchens trample my people, when the Han sons and daughters of Liaodong are reduced to cattle and horses, when the court is filled with decadent sounds of peace talks and surrender... this entire country is the greatest crumbling wall!"

"If I were to sit in the palace, on the dragon throne, listening to your reports and looking at these cold sand tables, and think that I could control the world, that would be true self-deception!"

"I will use my own eyes to see, my own ears to hear, and my own feet to measure my land!"

He turned around abruptly, his eyes flashing with an unprecedented light that even dimmed the candlelight in the hall.

"I want the 100,000 soldiers of Dengzhou to know that their emperor is with them!"

"I want Huang Taiji to know that he is not facing a weak monarch sitting in the deep palace reviewing memorials, but an enemy who could appear before him at any time and plunge a sharp blade into his heart!"

"I am the sharpest sword of the Ming Dynasty! How can a sword be kept hidden in its sheath?"

The four people inside the hall were so shocked that they couldn't utter a single word.

Tian Ergeng raised his head, and the fear gradually faded from his bloodshot eyes.

"Where Your Majesty's sword points, we, your subjects, will gladly die ten thousand deaths!"

He raised his head and solemnly pledged, word by word, "The entire Andu Prefecture is willing to go through fire and water for His Majesty!"

"We, your subjects, will not hesitate to die ten thousand times!" Li Ruolian, Lu Wenzhao, and Zuo Liangyu shouted in unison, their voices shaking the palace.

The emperor looked at them and finally smiled with satisfaction.

"it is good."

He said only one word.

Then he walked to the palace gate and pushed open the heavy door.

His gaze seemed to be fixed on the naval port that was waiting for him.

There, he built his own fleet, he placed his hopes on his mighty army, and he had the chance to turn the tide of the world.

The hidden dragon will emerge from the abyss.

(End of this chapter)