Chapter 262: To Be a Yao or Shun

Zhang Fengyi openly cursed the Ming court to her face, and Qin Liangyu, uncharacteristically, did not stop her.

Zhang Fengyi seized the opportunity and said, "Mother, Nian'er and Chun'er are still young. After we die, what will become of them?"

Qin Liangyu was momentarily dazed.

"The vengeance of Father-in-law and Uncle-in-law, and the vengeance of over ten thousand Tujia brothers—how is it to be exacted?"

Qin Liangyu snapped: "Silence!"

Zhang Fengyi steeled herself and knelt directly, saying, "Mother, the current Emperor is benighted, the court is without justice. If things continue thus, not only will our family's grievance be hard to avenge, I fear the whole realm will fall into the hands of alien peoples—the Central Plains will see untold suffering, rites and music will crumble, and Cathay itself will be lost. Is this the loyalty and righteousness Mother seeks?" *Smack! *

A slap landed on Zhang Fengyi's cheek, and her face swelled up at once.

Geng Wu heard the commotion and immediately rushed into the hall, standing before Ye Zhen.

Qin Liangyu's angry eyes were wide open as she rose abruptly, clearly truly enraged—yet she had still held back her strength, for with the force of her palm, she could have knocked out half her daughter-in-law's teeth.

Zhang Fengyi yielded not an inch and declared loudly: "Mother, since marrying into this family, this daughter-in-law has been obedient in all things and never disrespectful—but before great righteousness, I dare not bend. I beg Mother to see clearly!"

Qin Liangyu's chest heaved violently, her voice like thunder: "You urge this old woman to defect to the rebels, and still dare speak of great righteousness? The Ma family has no daughter-in-law like you! I—" With that she raised her palm high, making as if to strike.

At that very moment, a figure rushed in from the rear courtyard and grabbed Qin Liangyu's arm.

It was Ma Xianglin. He had been eavesdropping in the rear courtyard, and seeing his wife being struck, his blood rushed to his head and he charged out without a second thought.

Qin Liangyu, possessed of prodigious strength and in a fury, flung her arm violently—only to find her son gripping with such force that she could not shake him off.

Qin Liangyu was both astonished and enraged, and bellowed: "What, do you mean to rebel too?"

Ma Xianglin said loudly: "Mother, if you must strike, strike me!"

With that he released his grip and knelt before Zhang Fengyi.

"Fine! This old woman will beat you, unfilial son, today!"

Saying this, Qin Liangyu swung her arm in a full arc and brought her palm down with savage force.

Ma Xianglin neither dodged nor avoided, taking the heavy blow square on—it split the corner of his lip and left his face slightly swollen.

Qin Liangyu's right palm was numbed and swollen from the impact.

Seeing this, Geng Wu knew that even twenty of him would be no match for these three, mother and children, and was about to summon troops into the residence when Ye Zhen stopped him.

"My lady..." Geng Wu tried to advise.

Ye Zhen glanced at him, her tone brooking no argument: "Withdraw. Go outside the courtyard."

"Yes." Geng Wu stared at Qin Liangyu and the other two, retreating with great reluctance.

Qin Liangyu's anger had by now subsided. Remembering that she was on someone else's turf and that Ye Zhen was pregnant, she felt a surge of guilt, and clasped her hands in salute: "This old woman was momentarily indiscreet and startled you, my lady. I deeply apologize."

Ye Zhen said calmly: "It is of no consequence."

Qin Liangyu looked at her and saw that the two maidservants flanking Ye Zhen were trembling with fear, while Ye Zhen herself remained perfectly composed, sipping her tea at leisure—she could not help but feel considerable admiration.

Her father had raised Qin Liangyu as a boy from childhood, having her study and train in martial arts alongside her elder brother, which made her temperament impetuous and competitive, with nothing but scorn for the tearful ways of delicate young ladies.

Seeing Ye Zhen so unflappable, her fondness for her grew instead.

Moreover, though Lin Qian was a rebel, he treated the common people extremely well and had helped the Ma family exact their great vengeance.

Qin Liangyu could not help but regret her rash behavior.

However anxious she was, she ought to have let others speak—and striking people was even more inexcusable.

Thinking this, Qin Liangyu helped her son and daughter-in-law up, and said in a huff: "Fengyi, you've been married into the Ma family this long and still don't know my temper? Do I need to teach you the principle of enduring a light beating but fleeing a heavy one? Ah... I lost my head this once. I've done you wrong."

Ma Xianglin seized the chance to say with a grin: "Mother, when you fly into such a terrifying rage, Fengyi would probably go weak in the knees just trying to run."

Qin Liangyu examined the injuries of the two.

When she had struck her daughter-in-law, she had held back; the daughter-in-law was not badly hurt, only her cheek was badly swollen.

When she had struck her son, she had used full force—yet unexpectedly, her son was of iron skin and bone, and had only a slight split at the corner of his mouth.

Qin Liangyu could not help but feel gratified.

Ye Zhen whispered a few words to Su Qingmei, who plucked up her courage, stepped forward, took ointment from the medical chest, and said in a trembling voice: "General Qin... my lady has asked me to help apply the medicine."

Ma Xianglin said: "This little wound needs no—"

Qin Liangyu cut him off: "Much obliged."

Su Qingmei first applied medicine to Zhang Fengyi, then to Ma Xianglin, and then her gaze turned to Qin Liangyu's hand.

Qin Liangyu hid her hand away: "This old woman is fine."

Su Qingmei withdrew behind Ye Zhen.

Ye Zhen said: "I hear General Qin comes from a line of generals?"

Qin Liangyu said: "My father was a tribute student of the prefectural school. He loved reading, was especially skilled in the art of war, but had no thirst for fame and never took office his whole life.

When I was young, my father often told us siblings that the realm would soon see upheaval, and that only those of us who could grow up to take up arms in defense of the state could truly be called his children—that is why we siblings joined the army.

For you, my lady, to call us a general's house—I truly dare not accept the honor."

"At that time Zhang Taiyue was still alive, and the Great Ming's national strength was at its zenith. For your father to have such foresight is truly admirable. May I ask how your father expounded the words 'loyalty and righteousness'? In your father's view, could Zhang Taiyue be called loyal and righteous?"

Ye Zhen seemed to be making idle conversation, yet it left Qin Liangyu momentarily speechless.

In the twelfth year of Wanli, after Zhang Juzheng's death, the Emperor pronounced him a criminal who had deceived his sovereign, been disloyal, and usurped power, and subjected him to the extreme punishments of stripping his offices, revoking his posthumous title, confiscating his property, and sending his sons and grandsons into military exile.

In the second year of Tianqi, his posthumous title was restored, his property returned, and his descendants reinstated to office—but no other arrangements were made.

In simple terms, it was a split verdict: the court acknowledged his merits but still held him to be disloyal.

Qin Liangyu's father was a wise man who could see as early as the early Wanli years that the realm was headed for great chaos—naturally no mediocre follower of the herd. He had always maintained that Zhang Juzheng was a minister of great merit and great loyalty, skilled in scheming for the state but clumsy in scheming for himself.

Qin Liangyu herself thought the same. She stated her view cautiously, adding: "Zhang Taiyue was autocratic and severe, and made too many enemies—but his heart was for the state and the family, for the survival of the Great Ming's altars. The court's condemnation of him was but a moment's blinding by petty men; one day, justice will be done to him." Qin Liangyu said these words without much conviction, for after all, a bloody example lay right beside her—Ma Qiansheng had yet to be posthumously rehabilitated.

Ye Zhen said: "Zhang Taiyue could wait—but can the people of the thirteen counties of Beizhili who were slaughtered by the Jianzhou barbarians wait? The people of Guangxi have had their very marrow sucked dry by the Prince of Jingjiang, exploited for over two hundred years—has justice ever come for them?"

"Preposterous! If everyone were to rebel at every injustice, would the realm not descend into chaos at once?" Qin Liangyu rebuked angrily.

Ye Zhen said with solemnity: "Is the realm of today not already in chaos? In the early Wanli years, all within the four seas was at peace—how did your father see that chaos was coming to the realm? Was it not precisely by seeing the injustices in court and country?"

Qin Liangyu was left speechless.

Zhang Fengyi nodded repeatedly, while Ma Xianglin looked utterly bewildered.

"Your father's words, 'To take up arms in defense of the state,' come from the *Zuo Zhuan*. The full passage reads: 'To take up arms in defense of the state—one may die without regret.' The Master said: 'Serve the ruler according to the Way; if that cannot be done, then stop.' Mencius said: 'The people are most important; the state comes next; the ruler is least important.'"

The loyalty and righteousness spoken of by the sages was never about loyalty to a ruler, but loyalty to the Way—loyalty to the common people and to the state.

"Now unrest has erupted again in the southwest of our land, and the Jianzhou barbarians slaughter without end in the northeast. This is precisely the moment when the general's hand is urgently needed. Yet you cling to the faith of a common man, willing to die for a mediocre ruler—is that not turning your back on your father's teachings?"

Ye Zhen's voice was not loud, yet every word landed in Qin Liangyu's ears like a thunderclap that deafened and awakened.

After a long while, Qin Liangyu finally spoke: "Forgive me for speaking plainly—in this world today, too many presume to claim the Mandate of Heaven and orthodox rule. Even the likes of She and An dare to establish their own government and proclaim a state, naming it Great Liang.

Even the Jianzhou barbarians in Liaodong have proclaimed their state as Great Jin, and after usurping the capital region, they have gone so far as to abolish the Liaodong levy, relieve the disaster-stricken, and buy the hearts of the people.

General Lin has already taken the three southeastern provinces and enjoys considerable renown among the common folk—but who truly knows what lies in General Lin's heart?

This old woman lacks discerning eyes and cannot see clearly which side is the true enlightened master. I only know that as the chieftain of Shizhu, protecting our borders and securing the people is my foremost duty. If I were to defect to the enemy, the imperial court's punitive armies would surely come, and then Shizhu would be plunged into misery and suffering—that is truly not what this old woman wishes."

Ye Zhen smiled and said: "Does the court have the strength to send a punitive expedition against Shizhu?"

Qin Liangyu thought for a moment and realized that the Great Ming truly did not have the strength. Without Governor Zhu, the court could not even suppress She and An.

Even if the court rallied itself and dispatched troops, it would first have to strike at Lin Qian, who occupied the three southeastern provinces and had become a mortal threat at its very heart.

And as for what the court's armies were actually capable of in battle—Qin Liangyu knew all too well. Could they defeat the elite Nan'ao troops?

During the Battle of Guilin, the power of the Nan'ao army's firearms was still vivid in her memory—to say nothing of the support of the Guangxi common folk.

These past few days, Qin Liangyu had kept replaying the Battle of Guilin in her mind, and the more she thought, the more she felt that she herself had been on the unrighteous side. Losing that battle was not unjust at all. This feeling of aiding a tyrant—she had never experienced it during the Bozhou Campaign, the Bloody Battle of Hunhe, or the suppression of She and An.

Could it truly be that she had been wrong?

If she had indeed been wrong, from what point had she begun to err?

Her elder brother fallen in battle, her husband dead, one of her son's eyes lost—could it all have been given in vain?

Qin Liangyu stood silent and dazed for a moment, sinking into confusion.

Ye Zhen said slowly and deliberately: "Before the Guangxi campaign, the Nan'ao General Staff held a meeting to discuss where to direct their forces.

One staff officer said that the Nan'ao navy was formidable while the army was comparatively weaker, and proposed launching an attack to take Zhejiang.

Compared to Guangxi, Zhejiang was far wealthier, densely populated, and abundant in cotton cloth—precisely what Nan'ao needed—and being close to the coast, it would be extremely easy to take. Does the general know why they ultimately changed course and attacked Guangxi instead?"

From an economic standpoint, Guangxi was riddled with native chieftains, had scarce arable land, and suffered from poor transportation—historically a fiscal burden on the Central Plains dynasties, far inferior to Zhejiang in every way.

Qin Liangyu was still tangled up in questions of righteousness and unrighteousness, and did not respond.

Zhang Fengyi hurriedly played along: "Why?"

Ma Xianglin said: "It must have been to protect Guangdong, right? Ouch—why did you poke me?"

Zhang Fengyi shot her husband a sharp glare, then said: "At that time, the southwestern rebellion had not yet been pacified, and the court had no strength to attack Guangdong. Moreover, with the might of the Nan'ao navy, they had no fear whatsoever of the court sending troops down the West River."

Ye Zhen smiled: "Of marching and fighting, I understand nothing. However, my husband says that Zhejiang is a great tax-paying province—once our army takes it, the court's expenditures for the Nine Border Garrisons would immediately fall short. If the border defenses were then breached by the Jianzhou barbarians, it would be our people of the Central Plains who suffer.

The Nan'ao army does not use its navy to strike at the grain-transport waterways, nor does it ship troops to attack the capital region directly—for the same reason."

The Great Ming appeared vast in size, but in truth it was already extremely fragile—the north kept bleeding, kept alive only by transfusions from the south.

To topple it, there was no need to storm the capital at all.

Simply seize the few major grain-and-tax provinces—Huguang, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, South Zhili—and the Great Ming's downfall would come within a matter of years.

Even though Lin Qian currently held only Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian, he already wielded a decisive influence over the Great Ming's finances.

Even to this day, the interior of the Great Ming had not yet erupted in a silver famine—for which they could thank Lin Qian for not cutting off the overland trade routes.

Even someone as slow as Ma Xianglin could now hear the meaning in Ye Zhen's words.

Taking the world as one's own responsibility—that was not merely empty talk.

Qin Liangyu's heart trembled. To this day, how many people truly deserved those six words—"taking the world as one's own responsibility"?

Apart from Zhu Xieyuan, Sun Chengzong, and Xu Guangqi—who else could be counted?

Who was not pursuing their own interests and privileges? Who had ever considered the safety of the realm or the welfare of the myriad people?

Could a rebel leader actually harbor such thoughts?

Qin Liangyu studied Ye Zhen again—she was beautiful in appearance, flawless in speech, bearing, and learning, and her family background was beyond reproach. A woman like this had condescended to marry Lin Qian, and even while pregnant she shared her husband's burdens, defending him at every turn in her words.

Could it be that she truly saw qualities in him that Qin Liangyu herself had failed to perceive?

And then there was Ye Xianggao, the leader of the literati, and Xu Guangqi, who had written the *Complete Treatise on Agriculture*—all of these people had willingly joined Lin Qian.

Qin Liangyu admitted to herself that her insight was inferior to either of those two men.

Could it be that in their eyes, Lin Qian truly was the enlightened master of these troubled times?

Qin Liangyu could not help but sink into deep self-doubt, feeling that the righteousness and loyalty that had sustained her all along had come crashing down in ruins.

Zhang Fengyi had been completely convinced by the argument. Seeing her mother-in-law frowning in deep thought, she wanted to persuade her further but did not know how to begin—she was growing anxious.

Ye Zhen had already risen slowly to her feet.

Zhang Fengyi hurried over to support her, while signaling with her eyes for Ye Zhen to continue persuading.

Ye Zhen said: "The matters discussed today are of great weight. I imagine General Qin will need time to ponder them, so I shall not impose further."

Only then did Qin Liangyu snap back to attention, hastily calling for her daughter-in-law to see the guest out.

After seeing Ye Zhen off, Zhang Fengyi returned to the room.

Ma Xianglin scratched his head and asked: "So is the head still getting chopped off tomorrow or not?"

"You blockhead—didn't you hear the lady say she'd give Mother time to think it over?" Zhang Fengyi feigned anger, biting down hard on the words "time to think." "Oh." Ma Xianglin grinned. He was not afraid of death, but of course it was better if the whole family could live.

Qin Liangyu gazed toward the direction of the gate and murmured: "Madam Ye is truly formidable—this skill of hers at persuasion nearly rivals that of the Governor." Zhang Fengyi said: "Madam Ye is this impressive, and yet she speaks of her husband with such reverence—Master Lin the Helmsman must be no ordinary man either."

"Helmsman?" Qin Liangyu repeated the word.

Zhang Fengyi explained: "I heard the household servants all address him that way—I don't know what it means."

Qin Liangyu said softly: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. That's fine too."

"Mother, when I was seeing Madam Ye off just now, I noticed the guards outside the residence had all been withdrawn. The lady also said we may wander freely about the island, and she invited us to visit the Lin residence another day."

To be granted such trust out of nowhere, Qin Liangyu only felt the weight of faith and obligation upon her shoulders grow even heavier.

On the way back, Geng Wu couldn't help asking from outside the carriage: "Madam, is it really appropriate to withdraw the soldiers guarding Qin Liangyu just like that?" Ye Zhen spoke to him through the carriage curtain: "Would you use soldiers to guard your own subordinates?"

Geng Wu scratched his head: "Subordinate? I don't recall hearing her say she wanted to pledge herself to the Captain?"

Ye Zhen smiled faintly: "She has already agreed in her heart. It's just that for someone like her, she won't say so aloud for a while. From now on, simply treat her as one of the Captain's subordinates."

Geng Wu still had doubts: "After all, she never said it aloud, and even if she did, there's no telling when she might change her mind. I still think it's unsteady."

Yue Yi said angrily: "You fool, stop your nagging—haven't you heard the Madam's orders?"

Ye Zhen's voice came from within the carriage: "Yue Yi, you must not be rude to Guard Commander Geng!"

Yue Yi made a face at him.

Ye Zhen explained: "For a person like General Qin, the more open and upright you are, the more you respect and honor her, the more she will respect you in return. The more you guard against her and deceive her, the more she will treat you as an enemy. Mencius said, 'A gentleman may be deceived by what is in accordance with his principles, but cannot be misled by what is contrary to them.' That is the principle." Geng Wu did not fully understand but was impressed, and praised: "The Madam is broadly learned and skilled at reading people. I have been taught."

Ye Zhen smiled mischievously: "That wasn't learned from books—it's just that my household has three such easily-bullied gentlemen."

"Ah?" Geng Wu didn't react for a moment, secretly wondering whether the Captain counted as a gentleman.

When Ye Zhen returned to the residence.

Coincidentally, Lin Qian's negotiation with Macao's council president, Fat An, was also drawing to a close.

Ran Qiu stood behind Lin Qian, holding the "ledger," flipping to the page recording the grievances Zhong Aqi's fleet had suffered at the hands of the Portuguese, checking item by item. "When my fleet passed through the Strait of Malacca, your side attempted to levy heavy tolls?" Lin Qian said softly.

Fat An bent over with difficulty, continuously wiping the fine sweat from his face, his face piled with smiles: "Injustice, Your Excellency the Captain! Your fleet shot straight through the Strait of Malacca—we never collected any passage toll at all."

Lin Qian said impatiently: "Quibbling!"

Fat An's expression looked as if he were about to cry.

"From now on, Nan'ao's military needs right of passage and anchorage through the Strait of Malacca, tax-free." Lin Qian said flatly.

"Yes, yes. I will certainly convey this to His Excellency the Governor-General." Fat An said repeatedly.

Lin Qian looked at the ledger: "Next item—within the territory of the Mughal Empire, your side ignored our requests for assistance and made numerous insulting remarks?"

"Outrageous! Outrageous! My Portuguese compatriots—their brains must have been soaked by the floods of Bengal, to dare treat the Captain's men with such rudeness! A pack of fools..."

Lin Qian cut him off: "These curses are useless. Let's have something practical—share your saltpeter purchasing permits in the Mughal Empire, just like you shared the Hirado route."

Fat An's face instantly crumpled like a bitter gourd, his whole body trembling, as if flesh were being carved from his body.

"I... I, will certainly convey it, will certainly convey it!"

It was now early summer, the weather hot. Fat An sweated like rain, soaking the bricks beneath him.

Lin Qian found it deeply uninteresting. He waved his hand to have Ran Qiu close the "ledger," and said coldly: "Everything requires conveying and requesting approval. You seem rather useless as a negotiating envoy. Why not have the Governor of Goa come negotiate in person?"

With a thud, Fat An knelt directly: "Your Excellency the Captain, I swear to God, the Governor truly intended to come in person, but the Aceh army is pressing at the border—he truly cannot get away!

Sultan Muda of Aceh, that heretic who deserves to burn in hell, has turned serious this time—he's mobilizing the entire nation to attack Malacca! The whole Malay world—Johor, Perak, the Southern Ocean, the Indian Ocean—all dragged into it!

Your Excellency the Captain, you are the Portuguese people's most intimate ally, you are—"

"Stop." Lin Qian interrupted. "When did I become your ally?"

"Yes, yes!" Fat An steeled himself and said: "Portugal is your most humble servant! Malacca in your servant's hands is surely better than in the hands of those demonic Acehnese, is it not? Your humble servant begs your mighty fleet to act—please help us!"

Lin Qian smiled faintly. Fat An had lowered his posture to this degree because the Portuguese were about to face a catastrophe.

Sultan Muda of the Aceh Sultanate was preparing a fleet touted as the mightiest in the Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean.

The fleet's target of attack was precisely the Portuguese city of Malacca.

Should the Acehnese succeed, they would gain complete control of the Strait of Malacca, and even go further to establish a "Malay Islamic Empire." This was no alarmist talk—ever since the founding of the Aceh Sultanate in 1500, establishing a great empire spanning the Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean had been their strategic dream.

To this end, over the past century the Acehnese had launched dozens of campaigns against the city of Malacca, each time meeting defeat.

And over that century, Portugal had steadily declined while Aceh grew ever stronger. By the time Sultan Muda ascended the throne, the sultanate's territory and power had reached a glorious peak—its navy roamed the Strait of Malacca virtually unchallenged.

Even Sultan Muda's full title—Iskandar Muda—meant "young Alexander the Great" in the local language. The Acehnese ambition was practically spilling over.

For this campaign against Malacca, Sultan Muda had exhausted the nation's full strength. Rumors said his fleet numbered a thousand warships and a hundred thousand soldiers!

Even if that number was inflated, it didn't matter.

Because how many people were in the Portuguese city of Malacca?

At most, fewer than eight hundred, plus two thousand reinforcements from the Johor Sultanate.

That was the Portuguese's entire strength—a joke before the Acehnese.

Should the Strait of Malacca be severed, the loss to the Portuguese would be incalculable. Macao would also lose contact with Goa, completely abandoned by the mother country. This was why Fat An was so desperate.

For Lin Qian, Malacca concerned the lifeline of saltpeter—he could never hand it to another. The rise of Aceh also ran completely against Nan'ao's interests. Moreover, he knew history—the Portuguese won this battle.

Why not place his bet on the certain winner?

Even before Lin Qian met with Fat An, he had already ordered his fleet to prepare. Some things could not be negotiated—promises made before a war, no matter how good, could still be broken.

They had to be seized by the fleet!

While Lin Qian spoke with Andre, deciding the fate of Malacca.

In the capital, a conversation that would decide the future fate of the Great Ming was also taking place.

Ever since Tianqi fell critically ill without an heir, Wei Zhongxian had lost his bearings, showing flaws at every turn.

One moment he wanted to ally with Madame Ke, falsely claiming Tianqi had a posthumous child, letting some bastard still in the womb inherit the throne.

The next moment he wanted to ally with the feudal princes, finding some young clansman to adopt as heir.

He even fantasized about imitating Wang Mang—ruling from behind a curtain as regent, exercising imperial power by proxy.

Unfortunately, his boldness was truly limited. Every scheme backfired, leaving him covered in filth—and he also neglected his watch over Tianqi.

The eleventh day of the fifth month, the ninth year of Tianqi.

Empress Zhang, taking advantage of Wei Zhongxian's absence, forcibly barged into the warm chamber of the Qianqing Palace. Seeing the Tianqi Emperor on his sickbed, she had no time for sorrow and asked: "Should Your Majesty pass away, how shall the great matters be handled?"

The Tianqi Emperor had lived a life of absurdity, avoiding everything, unwilling to make decisions. But now, lingering on his sickbed, he was unusually clear-headed, and spoke with distinct articulation: "Prince Xin, Zhu Youjian, should be established."

Empress Zhang immediately sent her trusted confidant to personally summon Prince Xin, while she stayed by her husband's side, never leaving for a moment.

By the time Wei Zhongxian learned of the news and rushed frantically to the warm chamber.

He saw the Tianqi Emperor forcibly propping up his ailing body to sit up on the bed. Kneeling before the bed was a person—none other than Prince Xin, Zhu Youjian, weeping tears. Tianqi gripped Zhu Youjian's hand tightly, his gaze slowly sweeping across the room.

Wei Zhongxian's eyes met his for an instant, and he was startled to his core — his hairs stood on end. He hurriedly lowered his head, cold sweat streaming down his back.

After a long silence, Tianqi spoke in a low, solemn voice: "My brother shall be a Yao or a Shun."

Yahei

Fenyuan

Pen