Chapter 711: Paying to Win

Ma Fang, the Great Ming Datong Regional Commander, Xuanfu Regional Commander, Great Ming Beijing Camp Deputy Regional Commander, Earl of Yangcheng, known as "King Ma," was advanced in age. Since falling ill in the sixth year of Wanli, he had resigned from his post as Deputy Regional Commander of the Beijing Camp and became the Libationer of the Jiangwu Academy, cultivating a large number of junior officers.

In the ninth year of Wanli, because of his military exploits, Ma Fang was enfeoffed by the Great Ming Emperor as the Earl of Yangcheng.

Ma Fang, Earl of Yangcheng, had two sons. His eldest son was fond of literature, skilled in poetry and calligraphy, often enjoyed associating with famous scholars, affected elegance, and often spoke of his dislike for military affairs, often saying, "A good man does not become a soldier, good iron does not make nails." Since he was a child, he refused to drill troops and horses much. As a family of military merit, he spent all day mingling with scholars.

King Ma, who had spent his life on horseback, was very displeased with his eldest son's behavior and memorialized the Emperor, stating that after his death, the title would be inherited by his second son.

Ma Fang's second son, named Ma Lin, was skilled in archery and horsemanship. By the age of ten, he could already gallop freely, was brave and good at fighting. In the second year of Wanli, he was already serving in the camp. In the ninth year of Wanli, he exterminated the Andahan, and Ma Lin was promoted to Assistant Regional Commander of the Third Cavalry Battalion due to his military exploits, leading 3,000 troops of the Third Cavalry Battalion, serving as the vanguard for breaking through enemy lines.

Ma Lin didn't like his brother Ma Dong, because his brother always said, "Damn vanguard for breaking through lines, it's just sending yourself to death!"

Ma Lin couldn't take it and would beat his own brother Ma Dong severely to vent his anger, telling him not to say it in the future. Ma Dong would still say it, opening his mouth to talk about "thieving soldiers," "a good man does not use military affairs to advance to nobility, only literature to gain wealth." Ma Lin was even angered to laughter by his own brother.

Their father, Ma Fang, was once a horse-tending slave for the Andahan. If it weren't for his father's bravery and many military exploits, how could there be the Earl of Yangcheng's mansion today!

It is very normal for brothers to fight each other. Ma Lin was brave, his brother Ma Dong did not practice martial arts, and plus his father favored his younger brother, so his brother Ma Dong could only be beaten. But from childhood to adulthood, after being beaten so many times, Ma Dong never changed his tune.

In the sixth year of Wanli, his father was seriously ill, and Ma Lin was in Baoding Prefecture suppressing bandits and could not return home. In the seventh year of Wanli, the matter was finished, and Ma Lin hurried home. His father was out of danger, which made Ma Lin breathe a sigh of relief. What made Ma Lin strange was that this time his brother actually never mentioned the strange talk of "a good man does not become a soldier" again.

Ma Lin asked, and was almost angered to explosion. He picked up his long sword and wanted to find someone to seek justice!

His brother Ma Dong had been humiliated. In the past, the remaining prestige of the Earl of Yangcheng, King Ma, Ma Fang, was still there, and these scholars dared not talk nonsense and were very in awe of his brother Ma Dong. When King Ma was seriously ill, these petty people began to reveal their true faces, privately calling Ma Dong the son of a horse-tending slave, which was heard by Ma Dong.

Even though he was enfeoffed as the Earl of Yangcheng because of his military exploits, in the eyes of these scholars, King Ma was still the horse-tending slave of the Andahan.

Ma Lin wanted to find someone to seek justice, but Ma Dong stopped him, because Ma Lin was still working in the military camp. Going to trouble these lowly scholars was "disturbing the people with the military." Ma Lin would be expelled if he returned to the camp. Ma Lin finally held back.

Ma Lin and Ma Dong always used fists and feet to debate, but it was not without his own rules. He believed that when two armies meet, it all depends on the bravery of the general. If the general is brave, the soldiers will also be inspired, their spirit will be strong, and they will dare to advance. Once the general advances, the soldiers will also drum up courage and strive to be the first.

That is, if the general is not a coward, the whole army is not a coward.

Ma Lin said so and did so. In every battle, he charged at the front, wearing strong armor and holding sharp weapons, serving as the vanguard for breaking through lines.

Ma Lin could draw a tiger-strength bow, and all ten arrows could hit the target. He could fight again the next day. His own bravery could support his combat method, but what made him somewhat depressed was that he couldn't beat Li Rusong of the same age. Li Rusong, this guy, not only had great strength but also strong endurance.

There are three Great Ming cavalry battalions. Since their inception, they have been known for their elite status, because the cavalry battalions possess Great Ming's top mobility. Because they are elite, the cavalry battalions are also the only Great Ming army that can be said to be ready to go—that is, if there is an order on the first day, they can set off immediately on the second day. This is the pride of the cavalry battalions.

Always ready!

This sentence is the foundation of the cavalry battalions. When the Emperor needs them, the cavalry battalions can respond to the dispatch at any time and eliminate all enemies who dare to invade.

Yesterday, the cavalry battalions received an order to rush to Liaodong within ten days and to Jiuliancheng within a month, ready to enter Joseon to fight at any time. The next day, the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, was a clear morning. The sound of pigeon whistles accompanied by the sound of horns resounded through the military camp. The cavalry battalions woke up at the fifth watch, and before the Emperor arrived, they had already gathered at the drill ground, waiting quietly.

The Great Ming Emperor's carriage arrived earlier than everyone expected. When the gate of Deshengmen was just opened, the Emperor's carriage had already driven out slowly, arrived at the Wu Ying Building, and completed the seal-granting in the Wu Ying Building.

At the moment the horn blew, the figure of the young Great Ming Emperor, in military uniform, walked out of the Wu Ying Building step by step in the fierce winter wind. This figure was so familiar to the elite soldiers of the Beijing Camp. The Great Ming Emperor walked firmly to the drill ground and stood in front of all the elite soldiers who were about to set off.

"Great Ming Army, mighty!"

The Emperor's concise yet powerful words resounded throughout the drill ground. It was still the familiar Emperor, without long-winded speeches, without any heroic words, but he used the simplest words to tell this unpeaceful world: "Those who offend the strong Han, though far away, will be punished."

"Your Majesty, mighty!"

The cavalry battalions shouted in unison, which sounded in the North Camp. The brothers of the infantry battalions were very envious of the cavalry battalions. The infantry battalions had to set off half a month later. Although the infantry battalions could spend the New Year at home, the cavalry battalions were already on their journey.

"All soldiers, return in triumph!" Zhu Yijun stood on the drill ground, giving his most sincere blessings to the Great Ming army setting off, hoping they could return in triumph.

"Return in triumph!"

Zhu Yijun looked at Li Rusong and said: "Start one."

Zhu Yijun wanted Li Rusong to start a military song. Great Ming had many military songs. These military songs were composed by Prince De, Zhu Zaiyu, and were sung in the military camps.

Li Rusong cleared his throat, whispered a few words to the guards beside him, and then shouted loudly: "Prepare, ten thousand hearts as one! Taishan can be shaken!"

"Ten thousand hearts as one, Taishan can be shaken."

"Only loyalty and righteousness, the spirit rushes to the Dipper and the Ox!"

"The main general treats me like a parent; violating military orders, the body is not free."

"The orders are clear, rewards and punishments are trusted, going through water and fire, dare to delay?"

"Report to the Son of Heaven above, save the common people below. Exterminate the Japanese slaves, seek a title of nobility!"

The music band of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, following the loud shouts of the soldiers, began to beat the musical instruments in their hands along with the singing. The magnificent and atmospheric tone soon became impassioned, and the iron-blooded and murderous style spread throughout the North Camp.

"Six-foot iron bones, cast into sharp swords, one-inch red heart, melted into mountains and rivers."

"Never regret, a man should die in the border wilderness, return after a hundred battles, why need to return wrapped in horse leather!"

"Flags fluttering, military horns loud! The sword is out of the sheath, thunder and lightning!"

"It has always been that when meeting on a narrow road, the brave wins! March forward, march forward, march forward!"

The urgent sound of horns sounded again.

Zhu Yijun stood on the drill ground, singing the Great Ming military song with the soldiers, watching the generals and soldiers head towards the North Camp station.

This time, the Great Ming army set off for Liaodong by "iron horse," including war horses, logistics, and baggage, all transported by iron horse, not on foot.

The Princess Shengping No. 4 iron horse had a horsepower of only 48. The iron horse train had eight carriages in total. The front and back two were the locomotive, one pulling and one pushing. The remaining six carriages could carry goods. Each carriage could carry about 128 people. People, horses, and baggage required nearly a hundred iron horses to transport ten thousand people to Liaodong, and they had to replenish water and coal along the way.

Although there were many inconveniences, if you ask the soldiers how they like to march, the soldiers would answer loudly: "Ride the train!"

Riding the train is tiring, but walking is even more tiring. Riding the train is imperial grace.

Ma Lin came to the iron horse, looking at the Princess Shengping No. 4 that was already warming up. He loved and hated this thing. He loved that it saved a lot of physical strength, and he hated that it stole the limelight of the cavalry battalions.

"This coal-eating iron horse is truly a weapon for war. Why is it that once this thing comes out, it makes our cavalry battalions look very dull?" Ma Lin said to Li Rusong with a smile.

"Isn't it better to save some strength to kill Japanese pirates? This thing is really expensive. Do you know how much coal it takes to run to Liaodong? 16,000 *jin*. These two iron horses at the front and back will eat 32,000 *jin* of coal. A hundred of them will take 3.2 million *jin* of coal." Li Rusong also loved and hated it. He loved that it reduced the burden on the soldiers, and he hated that this thing was too expensive.

However, it was all paid for by the Emperor, so he didn't hate it that much.

For one trip, just marching, not counting the construction of the road, the iron horse, and the manufacture of the carriage, just the 3 million-plus *jin* of coal would cost the Emperor 30,000 silver.

Ma Lin calculated with his fingers and said: "30,000 silver, 60,000 *shi* of grain. Calculate it, it's not a loss. Otherwise, these 10,000 cavalry battalions, eating and chewing, running to Liaodong, just this stretch of road would take 70,000 *shi* of grain, not counting grass and beans. Inside and out, the Emperor earned 10,000 *shi*. The more it is used, the more the Emperor earns!"

"70,000 *shi* is not enough, at least 80,000." Li Rusong calculated it himself. He sighed and said: "I'm almost forty, and I was beaten by my old man yesterday. It's really annoying. You say we have climbed to the positions of Assistant Regional Commander and Deputy Regional Commander, and we still have to take exams in arithmetic, and everyone has to pass. Good heavens, this cultural lesson is giving me a headache."

Speaking of the arithmetic exam, Ma Lin immediately felt the same hatred as Li Rusong, feeling the same way. He was also beaten. He said indignantly: "Study, study my ass! I was also beaten by my old man yesterday. You say he's seventy, why is his strength still so great!"

Li Rusong and Ma Lin, like Ma Lin, didn't like to study, but they had to. Otherwise, they couldn't even calculate the military grain, so how could they lead troops to fight? They could only bite the bullet. Logically speaking, there were accountants in the army, and these military generals didn't need to, but the military song sang "the main general treats me like a parent," and both the main general and the soldiers had to pass the cultural level.

"If you could let me not study, I would be happy to kill as many Japanese pirates as you want!" Li Rusong said with a smile.

Ma Lin patted the carriage, looked back at the North Camp, and said with a smile: "You think quite beautifully. Let's go, go to the front line."

Zhu Yijun saw his uncle, Zhu Zaiyu, at the high place of the Wufeng Building in the North Tucheng, fiddling with a piece of equipment. This equipment was at least the size of a desk and was over a person tall. At the head of the equipment, there was a long and large hood. This hood was leather and retractable. The hood was hung on a long wooden box. At the tail of the long wooden box, there was a ladder, and Zhu Zaiyu stood at the tail.

At the tail of the long box, there was a shed cover, which was also leather and opaque, and Zhu Zaiyu was inside.

Zhu Yijun could recognize his uncle because he was wearing a prince's uniform.

"What is Uncle doing?" Zhu Yijun asked with some confusion.

"Painting. That is Prince De's drawing board." Feng Bao looked at Zhu Zaiyu's direction and said in a low voice.

As a scientist, it is very reasonable to be able to compose music and also paint. Zhu Zaiyu always likes to engage in various inventions, and this piece of equipment is his latest optical invention, the viewfinder drawing board.

Feng Bao instructed the little eunuch to bring a blueprint, and then Feng Bao held the blueprint and said: "This is the principle. Light passes through the convex lens in front and enters the dark box. The object image is reflected in the built-in mirror. Spread the thin rice paper on the reflection and draw the image."

"This is Prince De's painting." Zhu Yijun looked at the drafts drawn by Zhu Zaiyu one by one. These paintings were landscapes, mountains and rivers, and pavilions drawn by Zhu Zaiyu. Each one was lifelike, the composition of each one was very clever, each one was a work of art, and there was a ratio of near and far, making the ratio of the whole picture more coordinated.

But these drafts, which could be called works of art, had no names, which showed that after Zhu Zaiyu finished them, he was not very satisfied with these paintings and threw them aside, which were organized into volumes by the clerks.

Zhu Zaiyu chose to cheat in painting, using the method of optical image mapping to make the ratio of the picture more harmonious.

"Let's go and see." Zhu Yijun went up to the Wufeng Building, and Zhu Zaiyu just happened to take a pencil and drill out of the shading shed. He saw the Emperor, holding the rolled-up painting in his hand, bowed and said: "See Your Majesty. Your Majesty is safe."

"Uncle, you are too polite. Uncle, have you finished this painting?" Zhu Yijun asked Zhu Zaiyu if he had finished the "Expedition to Joseon to Resist the Japanese."

Zhu Zaiyu handed over the painting and said somewhat shyly: "Your Majesty, your minister hasn't finished it yet. It's just a draft."

Zhu Yijun opened the painting. The painting was indeed a draft. Most of the characters only outlined the shape, but the whole picture was very complete. On the outline of the city wall of the North Camp, there were drum racks and horns, flags fluttering in the winter wind, the Emperor watching the soldiers off on the drill ground, the soldiers setting off in an orderly manner, and Li Rusong and Ma Lin talking and laughing in front of the iron horse, relatives seeing them off on the platform, and some scholars whispering to each other.

"Can you remove these scholars? They are a bit of an eyesore." Zhu Yijun looked at this "Expedition to Joseon to Resist the Japanese" and was not very satisfied with these whispering scholars. The overall atmosphere was solemn and solemn, and these scholars, whispering was one thing, but they were also gesturing with their hands, not even as good as the onlookers.

"Your minister also thinks it's a bit inappropriate. When your minister perfects the draft, I will remove them all. Adding some flowers and trees in the empty space is better than them." Zhu Zaiyu agreed. The Emperor had no artistic cells at all. Empress Wang had tried for more than ten years, but the Emperor was still ignorant of music theory, and his painting was at the level of stick figures.

But the Emperor's aesthetics were fine. These scholars were indeed discordant in the expedition painting.

Pointing at others with fingers is a very impolite behavior, but these officials and scribes who came to see them off had at least a dozen people pointing at the soldiers.

It was very, very impolite!

"Your minister has been fiddling with some materials recently, hoping to permanently etch this moment on the board. Plate a layer of silver on the copper plate, then use iodine to fumigate it, place it on the viewfinder to etch, and then use mercury to fumigate it, but the picture is still a bit blurry. I am looking for a material to remove the silver that has not changed, to make the picture complete. It is not finished yet." After Zhu Zaiyu put away the painting, he told the Emperor about his progress in optics.

Copper plate, silver plating, light etching, mercury vapor imaging—Zhu Yijun keenly extracted the keywords. After an in-depth exchange with Zhu Zaiyu, he realized that the technology had already iterated once. The asphalt etching method also required constant cleaning with vegetable oil to remove the unhardened asphalt.

This method of poor imaging and long exposure time was soon abandoned by Zhu Zaiyu, and the current silver plate photography method was in the final stage of tackling key problems. What to use to wash away the reddish-brown un-imaged silver iodide was Zhu Zaiyu's recent research.

"Yes, the picture of asphalt and white wax was too blurry and could only be used for painting reference. However, the Royal Academy of Sciences' opposite examination hall, some old scholars, always scolded us for fiddling with 'soul-taking art,' and demanded that our Academy of Sciences' viewfinder must not be aimed at their examination hall. They came to make trouble several times and were driven away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Zhu Zaiyu shared the setbacks in research and development.

"Oh, then let the examination hall move away. I will find them a new place. The old examination hall opposite the Imperial Observatory has been cleaned up. Let them go back." Zhu Yijun faced the multiple-choice question of choosing one of two, and chose to keep the Academy of Sciences.

"Ah, thank you, Your Majesty." Zhu Zaiyu just shared it casually. He just simply shared a fun thing with the Emperor. After all, these old scholars called this thing "soul-taking art," which was somewhat interesting.

A convex lens, an aperture, a copper plate, silver plating, can suck people's souls into a black box? The imagination of these old scholars is always so strange. Instead of associating it with the infinite principles of all things, they associated it with the bizarre.

But the Emperor still punished them because of the nonsense of these old scholars.

The examination hall was burned down in the seventh year of Wanli. It was all about literature and education. The ministers in the court were not willing to spend silver to rebuild it, so they put the examination hall opposite the Royal Academy of Sciences. As a result, they were now fighting. The Emperor drove these old scholars back to the old examination hall.

The old examination hall was just cleaned up and not rebuilt. It was freezing cold, and squeezing together was warm.

"This thing burns silver, it must be very expensive, right? Does the Royal Academy of Sciences need silver?" Zhu Yijun hadn't given the Academy of Sciences silver for a long, long time. When it was first built, he gave 500,000 silver. Later, Zhu Zaiyu secretly asked for 1 million silver to research the reciprocating steam engine. Since then, Zhu Yijun had not allocated funds to the Academy of Sciences.

"No, these are all small things, they don't cost much silver. In total, it cost 3,000 silver. Your Majesty, the Academy of Sciences has 500,000 silver. If the army is short of funds, you can take it and use it. The Academy of Sciences has no place to spend silver for the time being." Zhu Zaiyu was not completely unconcerned about state affairs.

Zhu Zaiyu was willing to compose music for the Beijing Camp. When the army set off, Zhu Zaiyu came to the North Tucheng to paint the expedition painting. He was not ignorant of politics. He just didn't want to put that energy into it, and the Great Ming Emperor's indulgence also gave him the confidence to ignore the sinister human heart. The Emperor chose the Academy of Sciences between the two.

Zhu Zaiyu found that other Great Ming government offices would hand over profits to the state treasury and the inner treasury, more or less. Even the Dissection Institute would hand over part of its profits. Selling medicine was much more profitable than selling smiles. A big cockroach juice could make the Dissection Institute earn hundreds of thousands of silver a year. But only the Academy of Sciences did not need to hand over profits.

The Academy of Sciences made money through authorized technology, such as reflecting telescopes, steam engines, various hydraulic tools, and various spinning wheels. Although they didn't earn much, they had saved some money over the years. The Emperor had invested heavily in roads and opening the sea, and the inner and state treasuries were empty. After Zhu Zaiyu learned about it, he planned to take the initiative to hand over some profits.

"Keep it for the Five Classics Doctors to spend. I still have silver here." Zhu Yijun said with a smile: "The Five Classics Doctors are not really not eating the five grains of the world. Don't let the Five Classics Doctors worry about scattered silver."

"Your minister obeys the edict." Zhu Zaiyu didn't know much about the situation of the state treasury and the inner treasury. He just told the Emperor that it was here, and if he needed it, he could just say it directly.

"It's painted, let Me see it too." Zhu Yijun pointed to the painting and said with a smile. Zhu Zaiyu was very attentive to this painting, and even the viewfinder in front of Zhu Yijun was a large-aperture viewfinder specially built.

"Respectfully send off Your Majesty."

It was about to be the New Year, and the Emperor was very, very busy. After getting off the Wufeng Building in the North Camp, he had to meet the families of the soldiers; go to the Huangji Gate to meet foreign officials, elders, and commoners; go to the Royal Institute of Technology to meet science and engineering doctors; meet the clan in the Ten Kings City; go to the Xishan Coal Bureau to meet the craftsmen; go to the Nanhaizi to meet the families of the coastal defense inspectors and the distant Marquis of the pier; on the last day before the New Year, he had to go to the Yangji Institute outside the Zhaoyang Gate to visit the children in the official residence, and meet the officials to celebrate the New Year in the afternoon.

These were all jobs outside of routine affairs. In addition, the Great Ming's year-end audit had also been completed, and the Emperor also had to personally check some accounts, as well as post the results of the examination method after the New Year. The examination of the Beijing officials was conducted by the Wenhua Hall, and the Emperor also had to examine the court officials. These were all to be posted and publicized, so naturally, the Emperor had to personally review them.

Zhu Yijun said that the position of Emperor, a wise monarch is scolded, and a muddled monarch is also scolded. Being a muddled monarch is miserable, being bullied alive, and being a wise monarch is as busy as a donkey in a mill. This is really not wrong at all.

Zhu Yijun could enjoy power without fulfilling his obligations. His brother did the work for him.

Zhu Zaiyu looked at the Emperor's back and sighed. Thirteen years, the Emperor had only rested for eight months in total, and that was when he toured the south to fight demons and monsters. Now the Emperor was as enthusiastic as fire, but as time went on, how long could this enthusiasm be maintained? The shadow of the difficulty of ending well was increasing day by day.

Zhu Zaiyu, Zhu Yijun, and other natural nobles could not particularly understand Zhu Yijun's diligence. In Zhu Yijun's view, these things were not a burden. On the contrary, he enjoyed them.

Until New Year's Eve, Zhu Yijun sat in the Tonghe Palace, waiting for the officials to come to pay New Year's greetings.

"Has the cavalry battalion led by Li Rusong arrived in Liaoyang?" After Zhu Yijun sat down, he asked where the Great Ming army had gone.

"Yesterday, they arrived in Guangning, and today they will definitely arrive in Liaoyang. The snow on the road has been cleared. Your Majesty, rest assured, the Marquis of Ningyuan personally went to Guangning to meet the cavalry battalion. Your Majesty, Li Rusong and the Marquis of Ningyuan have not spent the New Year together for twelve years." Feng Bao reminded the Emperor that for Li Rusong's progress, and to prevent the imperial court from having any strange ideas, Li Chengliang did not let Li Rusong go home for the New Year.

Twelve years, every year like this. This is the first time in thirteen years that father and son have reunited at home.

"You do not fail Me, and I do not fail you." Zhu Yijun said quite firmly.

For Li Chengliang, this was also mutual. After Zhang Juzheng returned power, the Great Ming Emperor's actions to strengthen the military were even greater than Zhang Juzheng's. The imperial court did not treat Li Chengliang unfairly in any way. He had already climbed to such a high position, leading the elite cavalry battalion. This was imperial grace. If he continued to become a warlord, he would be abandoned by both man and god.

They gave each other opportunities, so that things did not develop to the point of being unmanageable.

"Proclaim the ministers to see Me." Zhu Yijun sat up straight and met the court officials to celebrate the New Year.

While Zhu Yijun was meeting the ministers, Liaodong was also immersed in the atmosphere of celebrating the Spring Festival. Before the New Year, there was a heavy snow. A timely snow promises a good harvest, and next year will be another bumper harvest.

"Oh, Old Zhao, you say, when will the Emperor measure the land and collect the land tax in Liaodong?" Li Chengliang asked his old partner Hou Yuzhao with a full face of smiles. This year, Liaodong had a bumper harvest, and the people had meat in their pots for the New Year.

To support the reclamation of Liaodong, the Great Ming Emperor exempted Liaodong from imperial grain. This policy was not unique to Liaodong. For example, Gansu was permanently exempted from imperial grain. Liaodong did not say it was permanently exempted, but after so many years, the Emperor did not say he would collect it.

"I heard that you were the one who stood up to the Emperor and didn't let him collect it." Hou Yuzhao frowned, stood up abruptly, and said: "These lowly scholars in the court!"

Hou Yuzhao had heard some rumors and didn't take them seriously, but now that he thought about the environment of entering Joseon to fight, he immediately reacted. Someone wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to take down Li Chengliang. The trap had already been set!

Words can kill. As long as these inadvertent rumors spread widely, no matter how beautiful the war of entering Joseon to pacify the Japanese pirates ends, Li Chengliang will be a loser. People talk, and three people make a tiger. Who knows if these Liaodong soldiers think that the Great Marshal Li has any ideas, taking advantage of the major event of resisting the Japanese, and daring to bargain with the Emperor.

"Damn! I should have slapped these lowly scholars in the face when I was in the capital!" Li Chengliang also reacted. His tiger eyes widened, he patted the table and stood up, and immediately said: "Regional Commander Song, prepare the carriage, I want to return to the capital! Return overnight. Old Zhao, you watch over Liaodong. Whoever dares to talk nonsense, pull out his tongue!"

"You scholars, how vicious!"

Li Chengliang could not spend the New Year with his son again.

A rumor without a head or tail could force Li Chengliang to this point. These scholars read all those books, and all of them were read into such conspiracies.

"Old Li, don't be impatient, sit down. It's not a big deal. The Emperor has always been broad in anticipating the enemy. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked you if you wanted to go to Joseon to guard." Hou Yuzhao thought for a moment, but instead felt that the Emperor would not have any grudges, sat down and continued to drink tea, putting both hands in his sleeves.

"Hey, the Emperor is amazing! Damn, the Emperor even thought of this." Li Chengliang suddenly remembered the words the Emperor asked before returning to Liaodong, and reacted.

The Emperor's broad anticipation of the enemy is all-encompassing, even including the lowly scholars. ===== CHAPTER 712 =====

Words can kill. Once these casual rumors spread widely, no matter how brilliantly this battle is fought, Li Chengliang will not come out of it unscathed. When everyone repeats the same thing, even a lie becomes truth; there is no telling if the Liaodong soldiers might start thinking that their Grand General has ulterior motives, daring to bargain with the Emperor while taking advantage of the urgent need to resist the Japanese.

"Damn it! I should have slapped those base scholars in the face back in the capital!" Li Chengliang realized what was happening. His tiger-like eyes widened, he slapped the table and stood up, immediately saying, "Grand Coordinator Song, prepare the carriage, I am returning to the capital! I will return overnight. Old Zhao, keep a close watch on Liaodong; if anyone dares to wag their tongue and talk nonsense, pull it out!"

"You scholars are truly vicious!"

Li Chengliang would not be able to spend the New Year with his son again.

A rumor without head or tail could force Li Chengliang into such a predicament; all the books those scholars read were used for nothing but such treacherous schemes.

"Old Li, calm down, sit. It is not a major issue. His Majesty has always been generous in assessing the enemy; otherwise, he would not have asked you if you were going to guard Korea." Hou Yuzhao pondered for a moment, but instead felt that His Majesty would not hold any grudges. He sat down to continue drinking tea, tucking both hands into his sleeves.

"Oh my, His Majesty is brilliant! Damn, His Majesty even thought of this." Li Chengliang suddenly remembered the question His Majesty had asked before he returned to Liaodong, and he realized what it meant.

His Majesty's generosity in assessing the enemy was all-encompassing, including even the base scholars.