Chapter 592: A True Man Stands with Blade Drawn and Horse at the Ready

Zhu Youxiao turned around and looked at Xiong Tingbi and the other two before him, asking with a smile on his face: "Do you think it's a bit difficult for me to want the world to be trouble-free? Or am I asking for too much?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, we are willing to settle these matters for Your Majesty!" Xiong Tingbi and the other two knelt on the ground together and said loudly.

Zhu Youxiao remained composed, continuing to look at Xiong Tingbi and the others as he asked: "Can you settle them?"

Xiong Tingbi stepped forward and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the affairs of this world are chaotic and tangled, but when you get to the root of it, it's nothing more than people making trouble. When there are no more people making trouble, the world will naturally be at peace."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao laughed, and he laughed most heartily.

Xiong Tingbi and the other two were somewhat puzzled, not understanding why the Emperor was laughing like this.

Was this matter really that funny? Wasn't this just a common, universal truth? Why laugh like that?

But none of Xiong Tingbi and the other two dared to speak, not knowing what the Emperor was thinking.

The imperial mind was hard to fathom — who knew whether speaking up at this moment might displease the Emperor?

Zhu Youxiao did not look at Xiong Tingbi and the others. After laughing for a while, he walked back to the dragon throne and sat down. His gaze swept over the three men, and he then said: "Beloved Minister Xiong, what you said makes sense — very good! Indeed, some matters are just me overthinking."

"Then prepare yourselves." Having said this, Zhu Youxiao turned his head to look at Wang Zaijin and said: "Take your men and go straight into Daning City."

"I want to see just who really calls the shots in this world!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Zaijin said hurriedly, his face full of delight.

These past days, everyone up and down Liaodong had been itching for action. Last time when there was a big battle, they hadn't gotten the chance — no merit at all — and it had sat badly in their hearts. Now that an opportunity had come, they would have to fight a good one.

Zhu Youxiao then looked at Xiong Tingbi and said: "Take your men to the Tieling-Qinghe line. In one word: watch there. Once the Mongols make a move, lead your men and fight your way west."

"Fight well for me! In the past everyone said I never gave you opportunities. This time I'm giving you the chance — you'd better not prove useless."

Xiong Tingbi and Wang Zaijin knelt down together and said loudly: "Rest assured, Your Majesty — we will not disappoint Your Majesty!"

"Then go." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, signaling the two men to leave.

After Xiong Tingbi and the other had left, Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Ziyan beside him and asked with a smile: "Feeling wronged inside? Feeling displeased?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, this minister would not dare." Bi Ziyan said hurriedly.

"It's 'would not dare,' not 'do not feel it.'" Zhu Youxiao laughed upon hearing this.

Seeing that Bi Ziyan wanted to explain, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said: "No need to explain. I can understand. There's nothing that can't be said — it's only human nature."

"Training in the deep cold of winter, training in the scorching heat of summer — who doesn't want to show what they've got? Learn the arts of letters and arms, sell your wares to the imperial house. You've done so much, and if I don't give you the chance, it's only natural that you feel wronged."

"I'm not the kind of Emperor who wrongs his people, so this time I'm giving you an opportunity too."

Upon hearing this, Bi Ziyan's eyes lit up, and the expression on his face grew excited.

He raised his head to look at Zhu Youxiao, waiting for the orders to be given.

Glancing at Bi Ziyan, Zhu Youxiao said directly: "But there's something we need to get straight first. This time when I leave, I'll be taking Xiong Tingbi and Wang Zaijin with me. These two men have spent many years in Liaodong — one could say their toils and merits are great. Whether this battle ends in victory or defeat, they will both be leaving with me."

"But you're different — you'll still be staying in Liaodong. I won't hide it from you: after those two are gone, I don't intend to keep so many Governors in Liaodong anymore."

"One Governor of Liaodong is enough to manage this little patch of land. I intend to give that position to you — do you understand?"

Bi Ziyan said hurriedly: "This minister thanks Your Majesty! I will certainly not betray Your Majesty's trust!"

"Don't be in such a hurry to give thanks." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said: "This time, if you truly do go and fight, and you win, then of course that's best — I'll promote you."

"But if you lose, then this step up in rank is gone. And at that point, you probably won't even be able to stay in Liaodong."

"Weigh which matters more. Think it over carefully. If you don't stick your hand in this time, then your position will remain Governor of Liaodong. Think hard — don't make the wrong choice."

Upon hearing these words, Bi Ziyan's expression immediately became resolute.

Although the Emperor had said this, if you actually believed it, you'd be a fool.

A minister who lacked backbone at a critical moment and dared not act was utterly useless to an Emperor. Even if you were promoted, that would be the end of the road — before long, you wouldn't even keep that seat.

Bi Ziyan said directly: "Rest assured, Your Majesty — this minister has already made up his mind. This battle must be fought."

"Not only will I fight, but I'll fight it beautifully — I absolutely won't fall short of those two! Becoming an official is for getting things done; this minister did not become an official just for the sake of being an official."

Bi Ziyan's words were very prettily spoken.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at him and said: "Very good, well said. I hope your deeds prove as fine as your words. Then go — get it done well."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Bi Ziyan answered loudly, then kowtowed to Zhu Youxiao, rose to his feet, and walked out.

Watching Bi Ziyan's retreating figure, Zhu Youxiao beckoned to Chen Hong, who was not far away, and said: "Have someone spread the word — say that Bi Ziyan staked his official career on this chance to go to the battlefield. If he succeeds, Governor of Liaodong; if he fails, he will no longer serve as an official in Liaodong."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will see to it at once." Chen Hong acknowledged and likewise turned to walk out.

In truth, Zhu Youxiao knew how Bi Ziyan would choose — and he hadn't given Bi Ziyan a choice at all.

If Bi Ziyan had flinched at this moment, then the man could no longer be put to important use. So he had to make Bi Ziyan understand and let him make the choice himself.

Why spread the news?

That was even simpler — using this method to boost morale, to make those below straighten up their attitudes, to make them understand that going to the battlefield this time wasn't just about picking up merits, but also carried responsibility.

The men of Liaodong had a knot of frustration in their hearts — they were unconvinced. If they learned that Bi Ziyan had staked his official career just to get them onto the battlefield, what kind of mindset would the Liaodong soldiers have?

Surely, a scholar will die for one who appreciates him.

With such invincible morale, the Liaodong soldiers would naturally be unstoppable.

The news that Bi Ziyan had traded his official career for the Liaodong soldiers' chance to go to battle spread quickly.

For a time, Shenyang was in an uproar. After the uproar came a wave of excitement and praise.

Everyone was stirred up.

These soldiers had been pent up for far too long — especially those who had taken a stroll through Hong Taiji's territory with Xiong Tingbi. They had been holding in this breath for ages.

Bi Ziyan's men were the same — they had been behind the lines cleaning up the battlefield and collecting corpses.

You had to understand that many of these were veterans of a hundred battles, and many of the officers had fought through countless engagements. They had no desire to be the ones collecting corpses in the rear.

Charging onto the battlefield to slay the enemy was what they ought to be doing. A true man stands with his blade drawn and his horse at the ready — winning a marquisate from the saddle was the proper way.

Even before they knew a battle was coming, these men were already sharpening their blades.

Wang Zaijin's men were the same — at least the others had taken a turn around the battlefield; they had just stood on the sidelines watching the excitement. What kind of business was that?

I can't do anything — I can only watch the show. Is this looking down on me?

Wang Zaijin felt deeply aggrieved inside.

Under such circumstances, the three columns of troops howled and sped swiftly toward their respective positions.

Within Shenyang city there was also great jubilation—everyone was waiting for this battle to begin.

Of course, there were also some who felt uneasy—namely, the Mongols.

Wukeshan in particular felt that everything was going wrong.

Just a moment ago he had still been somewhat excited: he had won the appreciation of the Great Ming Emperor, and his two younger sisters had also gained the Great Ming Emperor's regard—success and glory had seemed within reach.

Yet barely a day had passed before the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. The Great Ming Emperor had already begun dispatching troops, and the men of Guangning city were heading straight for Daning city.

Although the city had originally been under tripartite joint administration, the Ming troops within it held the numerical advantage. And if it truly came to fighting the Ming army inside the city—wouldn't that be courting death?

Back home, his people knew nothing of this yet. Even if word were sent back, by the time they reacted, the Ming army would already have entered Daning city—by then they would be able to advance or retreat at will.

Everyone had originally thought Daning city was a fine place for doing business, but now they realized that place was deadly. If the Ming army occupied Daning city, it would become a nail driven into the heart of the grasslands.

Back then, for the sake of Daning city, the Great Ming had spoken of tripartite joint administration. But now it was clear those words had been nothing but talk. When the critical moment truly arrived, whoever's troops reached Daning city first would be the one to call the shots.

Bumbutai and Hailanzhu also heard the news, and the two of them came together to the front hall to see Wukeshan.

Seeing Wukeshan's face full of panic and anxiety, Bumbutai said, "Elder Brother, there's no need to be so anxious. The Great Ming Emperor hasn't said he definitely wants to go to war."

"They've already started moving troops, and you still say there's no war?" Wukeshan said angrily.

"If they truly wanted war, we would have been arrested long ago—for all we know, Elder Brother's head might already have been chopped off and hung from a flagpole." Bumbutai looked at Wukeshan and said expressionlessly.

Hearing these words, Wukeshan was startled, then understood somewhat. He smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "Little Sister, what you say makes sense. Your brother was too hasty. So tell me—what does the Great Ming Emperor intend to do about this matter?"

"Nothing more than pressuring some people while teaching others a lesson. Those being pressured are naturally the five tribes of the Inner Khalkha—making them choose for themselves."

Bumbutai continued, "As for who gets the lesson, that would be those people of the Ordos. They don't know their place and courted their own destruction—no one else is to blame."