The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Chapter 74 Ji Gang is at his wit's end

He went ashore, dried himself off the mud, and instructed Zhao Hu, the camp leader, "Keep leading everyone in the work. I'll be right back."

When Lin Yue arrived, he saw dozens of laborers holding hoes and pitchforks surrounding Ji Gang and his group. The atmosphere was tense and the two sides were on the verge of exchanging blows.

"Lord Ji, why aren't you staying in Huating? What are you doing here?" Lin Yue said with a smile, arms crossed.

Ji Gang's face was gloomy. Not forcibly taking Lin Yue back to Nanjing on their first meeting was the thing he regretted most in his life.

In just a few days, Lin Yue had already amassed an army of tens of thousands. If he waited any longer, it would be even more for Su...

The people of Song'er Prefecture were all taken hostage by him.

Ji Gang suppressed his anger and said angrily, "Lin Yue, His Majesty has decreed that you return to the capital immediately. Let's leave aside your disobedience for now."

Why did you illegally gather laborers? This is a serious crime tantamount to rebellion, don't you know that?

"Crime? What crime have I committed?" Lin Yue sneered. "I am here to control the floods and save the people, and the people support me. Is that a crime?"

"But you, repeatedly obstructing flood control efforts and delaying disaster relief, are the real culprit."

The laborers echoed their sentiments and shouted in protest.

"Imperial Envoy Lin is a good official; we are willing to follow him in controlling the floods!"

"Madam Ji, please leave. Don't delay my request for treatment!"

"If you don't leave, we'll get rough with you!"

Ji Gang looked at the indignant laborers and was about to launch into a tirade when Lin Yue lost interest in the conversation.

"Take Lord Ji Gang out of here, lest we delay the flood control progress." Lin Yue waved his hand and left.

Watching Lin Yue walk away quickly, Ji Gang felt numb.

What do you mean, Lord Lin? Aren't you going to explain? Do you really want to rebel?

But you want to die, while I don't.

Helpless, Ji Gang was driven away by the laborers. He came to a high slope not far away and looked out over the Qingpu area. Looking at the tens of thousands of laborers working in an orderly manner and listening to their powerful work chants, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine and cold sweat trickled down his temples.

He raised his hand to wipe away the sweat, cursing inwardly.

Why is the division of labor so clear and the slogans so strict when it comes to water management? It's practically a well-trained army!

If he hadn't known the situation, he would have thought Lin Yue had rebelled when he first saw this scene.

Ji Gang gritted his teeth and said, "Lin Yue, aren't you trying to get me into trouble?!"

On that day, Ji Gang tried several methods to get closer to Qingpu.

Ji Gang even launched a night raid on the camp and stormed Qingpu to seize Lin Yue's residence.

To their utter surprise, when they broke in, they found that Lin Yue was not in the room at all, but had gone out to patrol the waterways in the middle of the night.

After several attempts, Ji Gang was completely at a loss.

He knew that if things continued to go on like this, given Lin Yue's nature, there would probably be even more trouble to come.

To save his life, Ji Gang had no choice but to write another memorial overnight, vehemently denouncing Lin Yue for "privately gathering 100,000 people, arbitrarily investigating people's property and privately distributing land and grain, which is tantamount to separatism and may cause him to harbor rebellious intentions."

In his memorial, he listed all the issues in a haphazard manner and earnestly requested Zhu Di to immediately send troops to suppress the rebellion, otherwise the Ming Dynasty would be in grave danger.

After writing the memorial, Ji Gang sent it to Nanjing by fast horse. He then went alone to the outskirts of Qingpu County, baring his upper body and carrying a bundle of thorns, just to meet Lin Yue and make a final attempt to persuade him.

Today, he came with a death wish; he would either take Lin Yue back or die here, at least to save his family's lives.

Because he really didn't know how to explain to His Majesty that the imperial envoy he appointed, after his two failed attempts to arrest him, had decisively rebelled in Jiangnan under his close surveillance as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and already had a force of 100,000?

Who would believe it if I told them? It looks like Ji Gang is indulging in debauchery.

Ji Gang was shirtless, with a bundle of tough brambles on his back. The sharp thorns were deeply embedded in his flesh, oozing a few drops of blood.

He stood on the muddy road, letting the drizzle soak his body, his eyes fixed firmly on the direction of the camp.

Upon seeing this, the able-bodied men gathered around, pointing and whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that Ji something from the Embroidered Uniform Guard? What's he doing?"

"The opera singer said something like he was carrying thorns to apologize?"

"I think he has ill intentions and wants to take advantage of the situation to launch a sneak attack!"

The laborers spoke in an unfriendly tone, their eyes were wary, and many gripped their farm tools tightly, ready to start at any moment.

At this moment, Lin Yue was in the main hall of the county government planning the details of dredging Fanjiabang. He frowned slightly, his fingers gliding lightly across the drawings, sometimes deep in thought, sometimes writing and drawing on the paper.

"Your Excellency, Ji Gang is requesting an audience outside the camp. He is shirtless, carrying a bundle of thorns on his back, and says he has important matters to discuss in person, concerning the safety of Jiangnan and the fate of the Ming Dynasty," reported Zhao Hu, the camp leader.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, then raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Oh? That old bastard Ji Gang certainly knows how to play tricks."

He put down his pen and stood up.

"Let him in."

"

"But sir, Ji Gang has always been plotting something sinister. What if he..." Zhao Hu said worriedly.

"Don't worry, he wouldn't dare." Lin Yue waved his hand dismissively. "Ji Gang is a smart man. There are tens of thousands of people here. He wouldn't dare to make a move here."

Zhao Hu nodded, turned around, and went to relay the order.

Soon, Ji Gang was taken to the City God Temple in the camp.

Dozens of sturdy laborers stood in rows, each holding a hoe and a pitchfork, their eyes wide open and their aura imposing, staring intently at Ji Gang as he approached.

Ji Gang strode over and looked up at the tall statues of the gods in the temple.

Lin Yue was dressed in shorts with his sleeves rolled up, revealing his mud-stained arms. The imperial eight-sided Han sword was placed on the wooden table, and his expression was indifferent.

thump!

Without any warning, Ji Gang knelt down, bowed deeply, and immediately began begging for mercy.

"Lord Lin, as an imperial envoy, you should submit a memorial to the emperor regarding flood control. Why are you hiring private laborers?"

He crawled a few steps forward, then cried out in a hoarse voice, his grief so profound it was like the mournful cry of a cuckoo.

"His Majesty sent me to Jiangnan to assist Imperial Envoy Lin in flood control. If you continue to act recklessly and refuse to return to the capital with me, how can I, as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, continue to do my job?"

Lord Lin, I have elderly parents and young children to support. How could you be so heartless as to place me in such an unjust situation, ruining my life and family! You just watched helplessly as my family was destroyed and my loved ones perished!

Lin Yue was immediately shocked. He had considered many possible reactions from Ji Gang, but he never expected him to kneel down and beg for mercy right away.

He quickly bent down to help him up: "Lord Ji, why have you come to this? I was merely managing the floods and saving the people in Jiangnan; I never intended to take your life."

"Get up. I'll take responsibility for my own actions. At worst, I'll write a memorial explaining the whole story."

Just as Lin Yue approached Ji Gang, a sudden change occurred!

A cold glint flashed from Ji Gang's sleeve, and a short blade appeared. He suddenly sprang up, his wrist twisting, and the sharp blade was firmly pressed against Lin Yue's neck.

"Get back, all of you!" Ji Gang roared, his voice shaking the candlelight. "Anyone who dares to step forward, I'll kill them on the spot!"

Profound strategies often require only simple methods.

With tens of thousands of laborers making a huge impact, and their numbers still growing, if he couldn't bring Lin Yue back to Nanjing, his position as commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would certainly be in jeopardy, and it would be hard to say whether he would survive.

Ji Gang was at his wit's end because of Lin Yue's actions, and he was truly desperate to risk his life this time.

The able-bodied men present were all terrified and rushed forward, but dared not make a move.

Battalion Commander Zhao Hu, his eyes red with anxiety, shouted, "Lord Ji Gang! Let's talk this out!"

Everything is negotiable, but please do not harm the Imperial Envoy's life!

Compared to the panic of the crowd, Lin Yue remained unusually calm.

He shouted angrily, "Ji Gang! Are you crazy? Let me go right now!"

I am still an imperial envoy. If you were to kill me, your life would be in danger.

The Jiangnan region experiences continuous rain in May and June. This is the last chance to clear the waterways. If these few days are missed, even greater flooding is inevitable in June, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless!

Seeing that Ji Gang remained unmoved, Lin Yue turned around and shouted loudly to the people around him.

"What are you all standing there for! He's all alone, everyone attack together and subdue him!"

But the people around them looked at each other, and no one dared to move.

With a knife held to the Imperial Envoy's neck, this was no joke. If Ji Gang's hand slipped in the chaos and Lord Lin's life was truly harmed, no one could bear the responsibility.

For a moment, the temple fell silent, with only the heavy breathing of the crowd.

Seeing no response, Lin Yue gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, and began to struggle violently, attempting to strike Ji Gang hard.

Ji Gang was prepared and punched Lin Yue hard in the liver.

"Hmm!"

Lin Yue groaned, feeling a sharp pain in his abdomen, and immediately collapsed, exhausted.

Ji Gang seized the opportunity and quickly dragged and pulled his way out of the temple.

As soon as they stepped out of the temple gate, they saw billowing dust as Liu Zhong led a group of Imperial Guards on horseback.

Driven by a surge in his will to survive, Ji Gang unleashed the greatest power he had ever possessed.

With a tug, he actually flung Lin Yue onto the warhorse.

Ji Gang then mounted his horse, spurred it on, and rode off with Lin Yue on his back.

Liu Zhong followed closely behind, leading the Imperial Guards to protect him on both sides, and then turned his horse around and galloped towards Nanjing.

"Release Imperial Envoy Lin!"

"Put our Lord Lin down!"

The people were initially shocked, then enraged.

Lin Yue's chestnut warhorse, Tongling, raised its head and neighed as it chased after the cavalry.

A large number of people gravitated towards Ji Gang, but Ji Gang had already made preparations this time.

Without looking back, he led Lin Yue at breakneck speed, changing horses but not riders along the way, moving at lightning speed.

The journey from Qingpu to Yingtianfu, a distance of over 500 li, was completed in just sixteen hours, a truly remarkable speed.

This was comparable to the speed of an imperial courier's urgent dispatch. Ji Gang had no other choice but to bring this lawless madman to Zhu Di as quickly as possible.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Di was bent over his desk reviewing memorials, which were piled up like a mountain.

Suddenly, a eunuch rushed in carrying a secret report: "Your Majesty, a secret report from Jiangnan!"

Zhu Di raised his eyes, took the memorial, unfolded it, and his gaze swept over a few lines of text before his expression suddenly turned solemn.

Wang Ji, the magistrate of Huating County, colluded with local gentry to hoard disaster relief grain. When the flood came, he abandoned the people and fled. He was later beheaded by Imperial Commissioner Lin Yue on the banks of the Wusong River.

"You brat! How dare you!" Zhu Di slammed his fist on the table.

"Having already executed the magistrate of Wu County, he showed no restraint and became even more reckless, actually killing another county magistrate!"

The Yongle Emperor was furious and roared.

"Issue my decree! Order Ji Gang to immediately arrest Lin Yue and bring him back to the capital. I will interrogate him personally!"

Just as the eunuch was about to leave after receiving the order, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall again.

A Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) commander burst in carrying a sealed memorial, looking even more panicked than before.

"Your Majesty! Lord Ji Gang has secretly reported that the matter is of utmost importance and requires absolute urgency!"

Zhu Di frowned, his heart skipped a beat, and he took the secret memorial and opened it.

This sight froze him in place, his pupils contracted sharply, and the anger on his face was completely replaced by shock.

Ji Gang's secret memorial was written in hasty handwriting, clearly indicating that it was written in a hurry.

"Lin Yue acted lawlessly in Qingpu, Songjiang Prefecture, and massacred local gentry. Those he killed were all descendants of local virtuous and loyal officials, causing public resentment to boil over!"

He also privately recruited laborers, numbering nearly 100,000, and trained them into ranks, creating a formidable force. While ostensibly for flood control, this was in reality a form of regional separatism!

"The attitude of Suzhou Prefect Tang Zong was ambiguous. He repeatedly gave Lin Yue grain, weapons and other supplies privately. The two had a very close relationship and seemed to be colluding with each other!"

Lin Yue commanded 100,000 troops, controlled the two prefectures of Suzhou and Songjiang, and had control over all the major waterways.

I fear that delay may lead to unforeseen changes, and I urge Your Majesty to make a swift decision to secure the nation's well-being!

Zhu Di's fingers trembled as he held the secret memorial, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He repeatedly read through the two memorials. The first one accused Lin Yue of killing officials without authorization, while the second one directly accused him of treason!

"Slaughtering local gentry? Ten thousand laborers? A sign of rebellion?" Zhu Di muttered to himself, his mind in turmoil, clearly deeply shocked.

He raised his hand and rubbed his throbbing temples, unable to accept the news.

He knew that Lin Yue had made great contributions to flood control, was unruly, and had a habit of killing corrupt officials.

To say that Lin Yue slaughtered loyal and virtuous people and plotted treason is utterly absurd!

How could a hothead like Lin Yue suddenly rebel?

No, something must be wrong here.

But Ji Gang has always been loyal and would never dare to speak without reason.

The secret report was written with absolute certainty, detailing every single aspect clearly, leaving him no choice but to believe it.

Zhu Di paced back and forth, his face full of confusion and struggle.

Zhu Di glanced down at the secret report again; it was indeed sent by Ji Gang.

He muttered to himself, "How could an imperial envoy tasked with flood control cause such a commotion? What exactly is he trying to do with 100,000 laborers?"

The hall was deathly silent. The eunuchs and imperial guards all lowered their heads and held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.

For a time, this decisive and ruthless emperor was plunged into an unprecedented state of confusion.

Has Ji Gang gone mad? To fabricate such a shocking lie in order to capture Lin Yue?

Or has Lin Yue gone mad? Holding the power to control floods, why would he choose to embark on the dead end of rebellion?

Or has he gone mad? How could he believe such contradictory and absurd secret reports?

The Yongle Emperor felt that he was probably ill.

Just as Zhu Di was questioning his existence and wondering whether to summon Qiu Fu to quell the rebellion, Ji Gang, who had been rushing all the way, arrived with Lin Yue.

"Your Majesty! Your subject Ji Gang pays his respects!"

Ji Gang brought Lin Yue, who was bound hand and foot, into the hall.

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