Late Ming Dynasty: From the Defeated Soldiers at Daling River to Ascending the Throne

Zhang Lan, forty years old this year, with a thin face, is Song Wei's advisor and strategist.

In his early years, while studying in Datong Prefecture, Zhang Lan was ambushed by bandits. He was rescued by Song Wei, who was then the garrison commander of Datong Right Guard. To repay the life-saving grace, Zhang Lan gave up the path of taking the imperial examination and became Song Wei's advisor.

The two had known each other for many years and trusted each other implicitly. Song Wei handled most of his affairs, big and small.

He's been frantic for the past two weeks.

After suffering a major defeat in the battle outside Dalinghe City, Song Wei was impeached by Qiu Hejia, Wang Yingchao, Sun Chengzong, and Zu Dashou. It was uncertain whether he could retain his position as general, and Song Wei might become the next Yuan Chonghuan.

While Zhang Lan was racking her brains about how to exonerate Song Wei, she received a letter from Shanhaiguan a couple of days ago saying that Chen Feng had been found.

Overjoyed, he ran from Jinzhou to Shanhaiguan overnight, a journey of more than 300 li that took him two whole days.

Upon arriving at the General's Mansion, before he could even inquire about Chen Feng's situation, news arrived from Jizhou that the supervising eunuch was trying to steal credit.

He quickly arranged for people to intercept them at the city gate.

Around 3 PM, the servants who went to block the city gate returned and reported that people suspected to be Chen Feng and his group had been taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Zhang Lan immediately took twenty-odd men and went to the Hundred Household Office to demand the people.

Zhang Lan led his men to the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) Hundred-Household Office.

Looking at the temporary paper sign in front of the door, Zhang Lan's lips curled into a cold smile.

Just as the two Imperial Guards at the door were about to step forward, he waved his hand, and the servants behind him rushed forward to block them on both sides.

Zhang Lan led his men and stormed into the courtyard.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the emperor's personal guard, they knew Chen Feng was inside, so they couldn't care less about anything else at this moment.

He stepped into the courtyard, and more than twenty strong servants filed in, filling half of the courtyard.

The Imperial Guards in the courtyard all placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, but without Li Ruolian's order, none of them dared to draw their swords first.

Zhang Lan ignored the henchmen and walked straight into the main hall, his gaze sweeping across the room before landing on Chen Feng.

He then turned to Gao Qiqian and Li Ruolian, his face beaming with smiles: "Eunuch Gao, Commander Li, how have you been?"

As he spoke, he didn't stop walking. He grabbed Chen Feng's left hand and patted Chen Feng's arm with his other hand.

"Chen Feng! Good lad!" He looked Chen Feng up and down, his eyes even seeming to glisten with tears. "You've lost weight and gotten a bit darker. But your spirit is still there, very good!"

Chen Feng was stunned.

Who is this person?

The imperial guards who came in earlier said his name was Zhang Lan, and that he was an acquaintance of the original owner.

Zhang Lan didn't give him a chance to speak, and continued, "When you were a personal guard under the master, I said you would amount to something. Look at you, haven't you made a great contribution? Your father entrusted me to look after you before he died, and I've always kept that in mind. Now you've made something of yourself..."

As he spoke, he released his grip, wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and then patted Chen Feng's shoulder, his voice a little hoarse: "Good boy, you didn't embarrass your father."

Chen Feng opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

The way this person spoke, the reddened eyes, and the way he rubbed his sleeves—it was just like an elder who genuinely cares about his juniors, without the slightest trace of acting.

But he didn't know this person at all.

Was the original owner really under Song Wei's command? But that was something I made up. Could there really be such a coincidence in the world?

Before he could figure it out, Zhang Lan had already pulled him by the hand and was walking outside: "Let's go, let's go, it's getting late, don't disturb Eunuch Gao and Commander Li's rest here. We can talk about it when we get back."

Chen Feng nodded blankly and took two steps with Zhang Lan.

Just as the two were about to leave the main hall, Li Ruolian reached out and blocked the doorway.

"Mr. Zhang," his voice turned cold, "this is the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) Hundred-Household Office. It's not appropriate for you to just barge in and leave like this, is it?"

Zhang Lan stopped and smiled again as he faced Li Ruolian. "Commander Li, what are you saying? I never forced my way in. I was just here to pick someone up."

He pulled Chen Feng behind him, shielding him, and said, "But Li Baihu, did you have a warrant personally approved by His Majesty to arrest my Shanhai Guard's captain without any reason?"

The Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard had a strict procedure for arresting court officials, and they had to carry a "trade pass" when making arrests.

The process of the Embroidered Uniform Guard arresting officials was extremely complicated. It required registration by the Beizhenfusi (Northern Garrison Command) and signature by the chief officer, preliminary review by the Dongchang (Eastern Depot), then drafting by the Grand Secretariat, approval by the Directorate of Ceremonial, and finally, the emperor's personal approval.

Finally, the seal was used by the Imperial Seal Office and then sent to the Ministry of Justice for signature; each step was indispensable.

Li Ruolian, far away in Shanhaiguan, could not possibly go through all these procedures. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard had been all-powerful, it might not have been so troublesome, but now it was the Chongzhen era.

During the Chongzhen era, the emperor was already dissatisfied with the secret police and the imperial guards. If someone were to seize on this, Li Ruolian's fate would not be as simple as just being dismissed and returning to his hometown.

Li Ruolian was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Chen Feng is a member of my Embroidered Uniform Guard. I, a centurion, am questioning one of my own men. What kind of travel document do I need?"

Zhang Lan laughed out loud. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard? Commander Li, that's a strange thing to say. Captain Chen is clearly a personal guard under my master, a captain temporarily appointed a few days ago. How did he become a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Gao Qiqian then interjected, his face grim: "Zhang Lan! Stop trying to confuse the issue. Chen Feng is a former member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, ordered by Eunuch Wang Yingchao, the military supervisor of Ningyuan. His identity as a centurion is merely a disguise!"

Zhang Lan glanced at him, her smile deepening: "Eunuch Gao, you're about to deny Chen Feng's military status with just a few words. Do you have any official authorization?"

Gao Qi was speechless. Then Wang Yingchao sent a letter saying he wanted to claim credit. He didn't even know who Chen Feng was, so where did this letter come from?

Zhang Lan took out a stack of papers from his pocket, shook them in his hand, and slapped them to Li Ruolian. "Li Baihu, this is Chen Qianzong's military file. It shows his birth year and month, his enlistment year and month, and his unit and duties. Take a look, do you see the words 'Jinyiwei' (Imperial Guard)?"

Li Ruo took the stack of papers and flipped through them. The papers were yellowed and the edges were curled up, so they did look like old files.

The above records in detail: Chen Feng, a native of Yongping Prefecture in Beizhili, joined the army in the sixth year of the Tianqi reign... Until the third year of the Chongzhen reign, when he was transferred to Shanhaiguan with Song Wei, Chen Feng's life and career were recorded clearly.

Li Ruolian raised her head and looked at Gao Qiqian.

According to Gao Qiqian, Wang Yingchao had not found any information about Chen Feng in Ningyuan, so how did such a detailed file suddenly appear?

Gao Qiqian gave him an innocent look; he was unaware of the details.

Chen Feng also saw the information, and he was no less shocked than Li and Gao.

Is this really the original owner's background?

Gao Qiqian's face flushed red, and he shrieked, "Fake! These files can be forged!"

Zhang Lan put the file back into his pocket, smiled faintly, and said, "If Eunuch Gao thinks it's a forgery, he can certainly report it to the court and have the relevant officials investigate. However..."

He paused, then said, "I can't stand seeing my juniors mistreated by you lackeys! Let's go!"

After saying that, he pulled Chen Feng and walked out.

Li Ruolian raised her hand as if to stop him, but then lowered it.

Zhang Lan walked to the door, then suddenly turned around and glanced at Gao Qiqian and Li Ruolian.

"Eunuch Gao, Commander Li," he said calmly, "I will send a letter to the capital regarding today's events. You two should take care of yourselves."

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiqian shuddered.

Li Ruolian's face also turned pale.

Zhang Lan has a nephew who is a newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) this year. Although he is only a junior compiler in the Hanlin Academy, he is someone that the two of them cannot afford to offend.

Chen Feng was pulled by Zhang Lan through the courtyard and out of the gate of the Hundred Households Office.

Outside the door, Meng Changgeng, Hao Dadao, Zhao Sheng, Sun Ergou, Aji, Lao Putou, and the five night scouts were all crowded at the entrance, blocked by the servants Zhang Lan had brought.

Upon seeing Chen Feng emerge, Meng Changgeng was the first to rush forward, grabbing his arm. "Boss! Boss, are you alright?"

Hao Dadao squeezed in, looking him up and down. "Boss, they didn't hit you, did they?"

Sun Ergou was almost in tears, "Boss..."

Aji gave Chen Feng a bright smile and a thumbs-up.

Zhao Sheng didn't move, but stared at Chen Feng from top to bottom, and then nodded.

Old Pu squatted by the roadside, tapping his pipe on the stone slab, and muttered, "It's good that you're out."

Chen Feng felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He patted Meng Changgeng's hand and nodded to Hao Dadao, "It's alright."

Zhang Lan didn't stop him; she just stood aside and watched with a smile.

Chen Feng said a few words to the others, then turned to face Zhang Lan.

He had many questions for this suddenly appearing scholar, including about the original owner's background.

He carefully chose his words, then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, saying, "Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Lan raised an eyebrow. "Sir? It's only been two months, why are you acting so distant?"

He took two steps closer, patted Chen Feng on the shoulder, and said, "Given my relationship with your father, you should call him Uncle."

Chen Feng was taken aback. Uncle?

He opened his mouth, but the word stuck in his throat for a long time before he finally uttered it: "Uncle..."