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

Another day passed, and as soon as it was light, Chen Feng got up.

Last night, Sun Chengzong sent someone to invite him to his residence for a chat.

The one who came was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old named Sun Zhijie. He claimed to be the grandson of Sun Chengzong. He spoke very formally and politely.

Chen Feng agreed, saying he would go first thing this morning.

When Mei Xian heard that Chen Feng was going to Grand Secretary Sun's residence, she turned around and went back into her room to find two exquisite wooden boxes. "These are Zhengshan Xiaozhong tea from Wuyi Mountain. I brought them from the Tian family. A person like Grand Secretary Sun is not worthy of receiving such vulgar gifts. It is not very valuable for the general to bring these, but it is the thought that counts."

Chen Feng looked at her and nodded.

Mei Xian took another piece of plain paper, ground ink and moistened her brush, wrote a visiting card, wrapped it up with tea leaves and handed it to him, saying, "General, please return soon."

Da Shi Yong Fang was not far from the imperial city, and it was inhabited by noble and important officials.

Sun Chengzong's bestowed residence was located in the east of the neighborhood. It was a three-courtyard complex, not particularly grand, but the entrance was clean and the stone steps were polished to a shine.

Chen Feng presented his visiting card, and the doorman led him inside. After passing through two courtyards, he met Sun Chengzong in the study.

The old man was dressed in a casual Taoist robe and sat by the window, holding a cup of tea. When Chen Feng came in, he put down the teacup and pointed to the chair opposite him.

Chen Feng first offered tea, then changed his form of address, saying, "This is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't find it offensive, Your Excellency."

Sun Chengzong's face initially showed displeasure, but after taking the tea and opening it, a smile immediately appeared on his face. "Zhengshan Xiaozhong? This is a good thing. When I was in Ningyuan, I couldn't even find a decent cup of tea."

He handed the box to Sun Zhijie, who was serving him, and told her to keep it safe. Then he looked at Chen Feng and said, "Yesterday's morning court was quite lively."

Chen Feng sat upright, listening to Sun Chengzong recount the events of yesterday's fifteenth National Congress.

Emperor Chongzhen once again flew into a rage at the court meeting because Qiu Hejia had died, and no one was willing to take the blame for the heavy losses suffered in the Battle of Dalinghe.

Meanwhile, Qiu Hejia's former patron, Liang Tingdong, the Minister of War, suffered another major setback. He had already been impeached and dismissed for selling official positions, and this time, Emperor Chongzhen ordered him to be exiled to Yunnan and never to be employed again.

Song Wei was dismissed from his post as commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan and transferred to the position of deputy commander-in-chief of Jizhou, and his salary was deducted for one year.

Wu Xiang was stripped of his post and dismissed from his post, while his son Wu Sangui was allowed to remain in the capital to study at the Imperial Academy.

Zu Dashou was demoted to deputy commander-in-chief, but still temporarily in charge of military affairs in Ningyuan. He was also fined one year's salary.

Sun Chengzong himself was not punished and remained the military governor of Jiliao.

Zhou Shipu, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, was promoted to Minister. Emperor Chongzhen ordered a thorough investigation into corruption within the Ministry of Works and shoddy workmanship at the Ordnance Bureau.

Sun Chengzong recounted these important court affairs as if in casual conversation, while Chen Feng listened silently without uttering a sound.

"And there's that matter you mentioned." Sun Chengzong paused, "I met with the Emperor alone and spoke of Fan Yongdou's matter."

Chen Feng leaned forward slightly.

Sun Chengzong looked at him and said, "The Emperor is very angry and has already ordered Cao Huachun to conduct a secret investigation."

Chen Feng nodded silently. If it was a secret investigation, he shouldn't be implicated. He wondered how competent the Imperial Guards were these days, and hoped they weren't all like the "Urban Management Brigade" in the capital.

If Emperor Chongzhen can find Fan Yongdou, then we'll see how everyone reacts.

First, officials from all sides will submit petitions to exonerate Fan Yongdou. Chen Feng will then be able to record these officials' names, making future investigations much easier.

Secondly, with Fan Yongdou convicted, Chongzhen discovered the widespread involvement, so he only singled out two as an example to deter others. The smuggling issue should then subside for at least two years. Without the aid of Shanxi merchants, Huang Taiji's situation in Ningyuan will be somewhat better, and the people will pay less tax, though this will benefit the corrupt officials who confiscate their property.

If no trace of their activities can be found, then Chen Feng will have to reassess the capabilities of these businessmen.

If they have such abilities, then if they really want to survive, their only option is to flee overseas.

"As for the job in Shandong you asked for," Sun Chengzong's words pulled Chen Feng back from his wandering thoughts, "we'll need to wait a couple more days. Perhaps we'll have a result once Zhou Shipu has investigated the matter thoroughly."

Chen Feng responded with a "Yes," then hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Excellency, I have another request."

Sun Chengzong paused in his teacup and looked up at Chen Feng.

Chen Feng rubbed his hands together. "This junior dares to ask Your Excellency to help me obtain a sign that allows me to walk during curfew."

Sun Chengzong raised an eyebrow slightly. "What do you need the brand for?"

Chen Feng looked a little embarrassed and chuckled twice. "To be honest, Your Excellency, ever since my men experienced the wonders of Shaanxi Lane, they've been thinking about it non-stop. Once the evening drum sounds, the whole street is filled with the Five Cities Military Commanders. Without a warrant, it's difficult to even arrest someone."

Sun Chengzong was taken aback, then shook his head and laughed, "Young man... I thought you were a steady person, but it turns out you're thinking about this too."

Chen Feng lowered his head and smiled apologetically, "It's really not that I wanted to go, it's my subordinates... this..."

Sun Chengzong finished laughing and waved his hand. "I was young once too, no need for further explanation. As for the Five Cities Garrison, I'll send someone to inform them later. I still have that much face to give them."

Chen Feng stood up, bowed solemnly, and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

Sun Chengzong nodded and then instructed, "However, you must be careful. Going to that place is fine, but don't go too far. Even though Meixian, the girl in your room, is only a concubine, you shouldn't neglect her too much."

Chen Feng nodded repeatedly, "Your Excellency's words of advice are well-deserved, I will remember them."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chen Feng, seeing that it was almost noon, took his leave.

After seeing Chen Feng off, Sun Zhijie returned to her study. Sun Chengzong was still sitting by the window, the teacup in his hand already cold.

"Grandfather." Sun Zhijie stood to the side, hesitant to speak.

Sun Chengzong looked up at him: "What do you want to ask?"

Sun Zhijie hesitated for a moment, then said, "Grandson doesn't understand, why does Grandfather care so much about such a martial artist?"

Sun Chengzong placed the herbal tea on the table, looked at his grandson, and asked, "What kind of person do you think he is?"

Sun Zhijie pondered for a moment: "He looks like a rogue and a dissolute scoundrel, with a glib tongue, not much different from those military generals who frequent Shaanxi Street."

Sun Chengzong was silent for a while, then suddenly laughed, "Zhijie, you are still too young."

Sun Zhijie was taken aback, then lowered his head. "Your grandson is dull-witted, please enlighten me, grandfather."

Sun Chengzong looked out the window. "How much of what he just said did you believe?"

Sun Zhijie looked up: "Grandfather means..."

"He said he was going to Shaanxi Lane to have some fun," Sun Chengzong said casually. "That might be true, or it might be false. But let me ask you, if he really was going to have some fun, would he need to come here to ask for this plaque?"

Sun Zhijie frowned in thought.

Sun Chengzong continued, "If he really wants to have fun, what's wrong with spending the night at Hua Niang's?"

Sun Zhijie thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "He... wants Grandfather to think he's easy to manipulate?"

Sun Chengzong nodded, then shook his head. "It's not just that he's easy to control. He's deliberately exposing his weaknesses so that I can use him with peace of mind."

Sun Zhijie was silent for a moment, then said, "I have learned a lot."

Sun Chengzong glanced at him and waved his hand: "Go. Remember, when judging a person, you can't just look at what they say, you have to look at what they do, and even more importantly, why they do it."

Sun Zhijie bowed and withdrew.

Sun Chengzong sat alone by the window, gazing at the withered branches in the courtyard, lost in thought.

Two more days passed.

With the waist tokens of the Five Cities Military Command, Zhao Sheng and his men could move around at night.

Their surveillance of that alley in Luomashi changed from daytime to twelve-hour shifts.

After scouting the area, they discovered that the alley was a dead end. There were three or four shops inside, but they were all just open and not operating.

I found out that those shops had been open for seven or eight years, but they were not open to the public at all; they only served their own people.

Since that middle-aged man with a Shanxi accent appeared, no one has been able to enter or leave that alley.

The only person who ever went into the alley was an old man who collected night soil. He would push a wooden cart, go in at the fourth watch of the night, and come out at the fifth watch.

Zhao Sheng had someone keep an eye on the old man for two days. The old man lived outside the city, slept during the day, and went into the city at night to collect night soil. After collecting it, he left and didn't interact with anyone.

"What about the people in the alley?" Chen Feng asked.

Zhao Sheng shook his head: "There's only one possibility—there's a hidden door or a tunnel inside. Otherwise, they would have starved to death long ago without food or water."

Chen Feng fell into deep thought. He had been watching the area for four or five days, but the other party was as cunning as an eel, and he hadn't been able to find out anything.

However, this also reveals that the other party is not high-profile in the capital and only wants to carry out covert operations, which means that they do not have many people.

Moreover... Chen Feng couldn't help but worry as he thought about his dwindling savings.

His family was not wealthy to begin with, and in the ten days or so he had been in the capital, he had already spent most of his money.

If he couldn't find a way to get some money, his dozen or so men would be starving.

Thinking of this, Chen Feng said, "Have Yang Shuo make a good relationship with that porter and borrow his cart tomorrow."

Zhao Sheng nodded.

Chen Feng looked in the direction of Luomashi and said, "Tell Xie Liu and the others to get ready. We'll go and take on Yongshengqing tomorrow night."