Chapter 83: Preparing for the Great Counteroffensive

In Gao Panlong's view, surrendering to Wei Zhongxian was absolutely unacceptable, because it would mean admitting that he and his people were in the wrong, and besides, Wei Zhongxian would not let him off just because old Gao had conceded.

This was not a struggle between civil officials.

Glancing at Han Kuang, Gao Panlong's expression had already turned somewhat sour.

In Gao Panlong's view, Han Kuang, for the sake of his own position as Grand Secretary in the Grand Secretariat, did not wish to keep stirring things up, but rather hoped to quell the struggle as quickly as possible.

Because that was the most advantageous course for Han Kuang.

If the struggle continued, once the matter was investigated further, it could very likely implicate Han Kuang himself.

As for the positions held by Gao Panlong and his people, they would very likely be taken over by Han Kuang's men, which would not be a difficult matter for him at all.

At this thought, Gao Panlong's expression immediately turned somewhat unpleasant.

After pondering for a moment, Gao Panlong spoke: "If we do this, wouldn't we be surrendering to Wei Zhongxian? We have studied the writings of the sages and walk the path of Confucius and Mencius — how could we be so devoid of moral integrity? Better to die in honor than live in disgrace. We are devoted to serving the state; how could we bow our heads to the likes of Wei Zhongxian over a mere trifling hardship?"

Hearing Gao Panlong's words, Han Kuang's expression also turned somewhat unpleasant.

He was not really a diehard member of the Donglin Faction, and besides, not all of the Donglin people listened to him either.

If he had possessed that kind of prestige and commanding ability, then in the original course of history, after Liu Yijing had been brought down, the one to succeed should have been Han Kuang, not Ye Xianggao.

Gao Panlong might show Han Kuang some face, but getting him to act on Han Kuang's orders was basically impossible.

Glancing at Gao Panlong, Han Kuang knew that he could not persuade him.

In his own view, Gao Panlong and the others were simply courting death.

Could they not see that this was not about surrendering to Wei Zhongxian, but surrendering to His Majesty?

The most pressing matter was to make His Majesty trust them again, not to fight Wei Zhongxian to the death.

Han Kuang knew that Gao Panlong and the others could see this, and they understood it too, but they could not act on it.

Once they abandoned Zou Yuanbiao and abandoned Yang Lian, the consequences would be something the Donglin Faction could not bear. So even knowing full well there were problems ahead, Gao Panlong and the others had to press forward, even knowing His Majesty would punish them severely.

But looking at Gao Panlong's demeanor, Han Kuang also discerned a few things.

That was that they intended to repeat their old tricks.

Even if they were ultimately stripped of their offices, they would still raise the banner of pleading for the people. By then, even if they were dismissed and sent back to their hometowns, they would be celebrated throughout the court and the realm — an extremely glorious affair.

But Han Kuang knew that this retreat, though it appeared patriotic and carefree, left the question: who would handle the affairs of the court?

This retreat appeared magnanimous, but in truth it was utterly cowardly.

Under the present circumstances, acting this way could very well drag everyone down with them.

But Han Kuang also knew that he could not stop them.

Glancing at Gao Panlong, Han Kuang said directly: "Then you had better look after yourselves."

In fact, Han Kuang knew that Gao Panlong's words just now had already been accusing him — calling him cowardly, saying he feared Wei Zhongxian.

On the one hand, this was a provocation to get him to stand on their side; on the other hand, it was a threat — if he did not stand on their side, then what awaited him would be all manner of attacks.

But in Han Kuang's view, Wei Zhongxian's methods could not possibly stop there; soon enough, Gao Panlong and the others would reap what they had sown.

Having said this, Han Kuang picked up his teacup, the meaning clear — it was time for his guests to leave.

At this point, Gao Panlong naturally could not bear to stay any longer. He rose to his feet, clasped his hands toward Han Kuang in a salute, then turned and walked out.

He was going to contact more people and prepare for a major counteroffensive.

Watching Gao Panlong's retreating figure, a helpless expression appeared on Han Kuang's face.

Letting out a soft sigh, Han Kuang rose to his feet and slowly walked out of the study.

He was preparing to go to the Grand Secretariat. As for what happened afterward, Han Kuang planned to wait and see. He himself could no longer reach out to intervene.

If he were implicated, then he would resign and return to his hometown!

Coming out of Han Kuang's residence, a hint of anger had crept onto Gao Panlong's face.

Gao Panlong was extremely dissatisfied with Han Kuang's remarks.

In Gao Panlong's view, this was a life-or-death struggle for power; retreating was absolutely out of the question.

Once he chose to retreat, he would lose everything. The things he possessed now had been obtained through tremendous effort.

Turning back to glance at Han Kuang's residence, Gao Panlong flicked his sleeves and strode forward with large steps.

At this point, he needed to rally some people — the Donglin members in the capital, including Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing, Vice Minister of Works Zhao Nanxing, and the Emperor's own teacher, Sun Chengzong.

They were preparing for a major counteroffensive.

In the Forbidden City.

Zhu Youxiao stood at the entrance of the great hall, gazing into the distance at the somewhat gloomy sky. His mood, like the sky at this moment, was not very good.

The Great Ming was just like this gloomy sky; for him to part the clouds and see the sun, there was still a long road ahead.

"Your Majesty," Chen Hong came up behind Zhu Youxiao and said cautiously, "Luo Sigong, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, requests an audience."

Through their contact over this period of time, Chen Hong had more or less learned to gauge his master's mood.

His Majesty's mood was clearly not good right now, so Chen Hong spoke with particular care, afraid of provoking his master's wrath.

Luo Sigong had come — could it be that the person he had been waiting for had arrived?

Zhu Youxiao's gloomy mood improved slightly. He turned to glance at Chen Hong and instructed: "Bring him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong acknowledged the order, then turned and walked out.

Upon reaching the outside, Chen Hong spotted Luo Sigong at a glance.

Seeing Chen Hong emerge, Luo Sigong hurriedly smiled and stepped forward to greet him.

Luo Sigong was very clear about his current situation.

Judging by His Majesty's style of conduct over this period, His Majesty was going to place great importance on the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

That meant a new struggle was about to begin.

What they were contending for was His Majesty's favor. Whoever could win that favor would gain more power.

Over the past years, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had staged such contests countless times. The victor would not only gain the Emperor's trust, but would also be able to command the other side.

But in this kind of contest, the Embroidered Uniform Guard lost more often than it won.

Luo Sigong knew this well, and he also knew where the Embroidered Uniform Guard's weaknesses lay.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the Son of Heaven's personal army, it could not enter the palace to see the emperor at any time. Compared to Wei Zhongxian of the Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's disadvantage was all too obvious.

This time, His Majesty had separately assigned tasks to the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Eastern Depot had already gained a great advantage. It would not be long before the Eastern Depot finished its task beautifully.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was already lagging behind, and if no one spoke well of them, then the Embroidered Uniform Guard would surely lose out to the Eastern Depot.

When that time came, only two paths would lie before him: one was to become Wei Zhongxian's dog, wagging his tail and begging for mercy before Wei Zhongxian — a situation Luo Sigong was unwilling to see; the other was to step down as Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and yield his position — which Luo Sigong was also unwilling to do.