Chapter 431: Those in the Game Are Not Lost

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"Mr. Song, Zhou Yanru has tendered his resignation." Zhang Dahui hurried into Song Wenxian's side courtyard, dismissed the nearby maidservants with a wave, and quietly told Song Wenxian the day's major event.

Song Wenxian showed not the slightest surprise. Everyone knew Zhou Yanru would fall from power. Although no major blunders occurred during his tenure, he had offended no small number of people.

"Whether Chen Yutai and Wu Weiye bribed Zhou Yanru, no one can say for certain. But it is true that Chen Yutai is his relative by marriage, and it is also true that Wu Weiye's father was an old acquaintance of Zhou Yanru's. Ridiculously, Wu Weiye didn't even know to keep a low profile and actually brought a prostitute to the capital for the metropolitan examination. When Zhou Yanru selected these two for the top tier back then, he left room for gossip." Song Wenxian took a sip of tea. "It had always been the Junior Grand Secretary who served as chief examiner. Zhou Yanru, single-mindedly wanting to recruit protégés, snatched the position from Wen Tiren. Judging by the top-tier results afterward, they were either from his hometown or his friends and relatives. No one would believe there was nothing fishy going on. And to top it off, Chen Yutai ended up winning Top Graduate. He brought this trouble on himself. As for Shen Yikui's bribery, that's ironclad. Zhou Yanru even dared to take that silver — he truly has no regard for his life."

Zhang Dahui hesitated. "But whether His Majesty will approve it is still unclear. After all, the matters of Wu Weiye and Chen Yutai were two years ago. Quite a few censors impeached them in those two years, yet His Majesty said nothing."

"This time he will most likely approve." Song Wenxian said flatly, "In the jisi year the Jianzhou Bandits invaded. The Donglin faction performed poorly. Qian Longxi and Wang Qia were in those posts, and there was also the murky matter of Yuan Chonghuan privately sentencing Mao Wenlong to death — this was something that violated His Majesty's greatest taboo. Later Qian Longxi fell, Wang Qia was sent to the execution ground, and the Donglin faction's power at court weakened greatly because of this. His Majesty does not favor the Donglin faction. How many Donglin men are left among your ministers? His Majesty simply keeps silent about it. Why did Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren rise steadily all the way? Because both styled themselves as unattached, solitary ministers. This reveals His Majesty's true inner thoughts: that important ministers should all be unattached. Yet he mostly uses Donglin men as remonstrance officials, making the major and minor check each other, absolutely preventing power from colluding with the remonstrance officials. Wen Tiren saw through His Majesty's intent and has consistently opposed the Donglin. But Zhou Yanru, these past two years, has privately mended ties with the Donglin. In Wu Weiye's examination cohort there was also Zhang Pu, the head of the Fushe. He passed as a Metropolitan Graduate. Zhou Yanru mending ties with the Donglin faction has precisely violated His Majesty's deepest taboo. This time he likely won't get through."

Zhang Dahui laughed heartily. "That's perfect then. Zhou Yanru has been opposing us constantly these past two years. Now that Mr. Song mentions it, I recall as well. Today Zhou Yanru and the court's Donglin faction jointly recommended He Ruchong. It must be to use He Ruchong's seniority to suppress Wen Tiren, single-mindedly preventing Wen Tiren from becoming Senior Grand Secretary while letting the Donglin gain more influence, so as to reduce obstacles for his own comeback."

Song Wenxian shook his head and sighed. "Zhou Yanru achieved success young. Once he grasped great power, his conduct and dealings were too rash. Now that he's at a dead end, if he wanted to save himself he should immediately sever all ties with any court faction — perhaps there would still be a sliver of a chance. But look, he's still joining with the Donglin faction to deal with Wen Tiren. Little does he know Wen Tiren is precisely hoping he'll do just that. Zhou Yanru is formidable in scholarship, but when it comes to seasoned political acumen, he falls far short of Wen Tiren. Losing to Wen Tiren is not the least bit unjust. Wen Tiren truly understands what it means to be a solitary minister — in the thick of things yet not confused. Zhou Yanru, on the other hand, has only a half-baked understanding. He's clearly a dabbler, yet he has too much petty cleverness, which instead leaves His Majesty with the impression that he's double-dealing."

After speaking, Song Wenxian fished out a box of Wendeng Gold Fragrance cigarettes, the filter tips wrapped in a layer of gold foil — three hundred wen a pack, something only wealthy households in the capital bought. He offered one to Zhang Dahui. The two struck tinderboxes and lit them. Amidst the swirling smoke, Song Wenxian said to Zhang Dahui, "Worldly affairs are hard to predict. Back then Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren were in the same faction, yet they fell out in the blink of an eye. When Sun Yuanhua first came to Denglai, he showed special care for Wendeng, but in the end he became just as much a mortal enemy. Although Chancellor Wen is treating us well at present, you must not be too ostentatious in the capital. You must also prepare those what-do-you-call-them houses properly. Do not let your guard down."

"Mr. Song means the safe houses. I understand. Having stayed in the capital these years, I've seen plenty of the shifting winds at court. I'll always look after my own neck. I still plan to follow Brother Chen to enjoy good days ahead."

Song Wenxian pointed a finger at Zhang Dahui and shook his head with a smile.

Before the two finished their cigarette, a subordinate from outside came in and handed Zhang Dahui a slip of paper. After reading it, Zhang Dahui waved the subordinate away.

Once the man had closed the door, Zhang Dahui immediately stood up excitedly and passed the paper to Song Wenxian. "Mr. Song, the Qingzhou Regional Commander has been decided. It's Geng Zhongming. Qingzhou Prefecture also falls under the jurisdiction of the Denglai Provincial Governor. We originally thought it would take some more time. Why was the court so swift this time?"

Song Wenxian tossed aside his cigarette butt, read the intelligence on the paper, and smiled. "Zhou Yanru is indeed about to step down. Geng Zhongming was proposed by Liu Yulie and supported by Zhou Yanru. His Majesty wants to settle the Qingzhou Regional Commander before Zhou Yanru steps down. This seems to be a rejection of Dengzhou's candidate, Dai Zhenggang. His Majesty wants Zhou Yanru to take the blame for this, so that Lord Chen will not harbor resentment toward His Majesty. If there's blame, let it fall on Zhou Yanru."

Zhang Dahui laughed heartily. "It still comes down to Lord Chen having foreseen this early. If we had pushed hard for Dai Zhenggang, we might have ended up drawing water with a bamboo basket. Yet this Geng Zhongming got it instead. I just wonder how Lord Chen will swallow the troops Geng Zhongming has in hand."

Song Wenxian had dealt with Geng Zhongming often. He had been present when they killed Wang Bingzhong to warn Geng Zhongming. Later, many of Geng Zhongming's affairs had to go through the Foreign Affairs Department, so Geng Zhongming was most familiar with Song Wenxian and even gave him some gifts of respect every year.

Thus Song Wenxian could be said to know Geng Zhongming extremely well. Hearing this, he said to Zhang Dahui, "Geng Zhongming has a clever head on his shoulders. You don't need to worry about him. Even if Lord Chen doesn't seek him out, he will go find Lord Chen himself."

"He is quite an interesting character. Thinking about it, among those who rebelled together back then, Wang Zideng and Li Yingyuan are dead, Li Jiucheng and Kong Youde went to be slaves to the Jianzhou Bandits, yet this Geng Zhongming is living perfectly well, thriving in Dengzhou, doing even better than Shang Kexi."

Song Wenxian smiled. "Shang Kexi is a bit more straightforward than Geng Zhongming, but he still has the sense to read the winds. Once the Lushun battle is over, the Dongjiang people should all be able to see clearly." He put away his smile and said to Zhang Dahui, "The Qingzhou Regional Commander post is secured. Your next step is to contend for the less conspicuous Vice Regional Commander. At the very least, get the Mobile Corps into our hands. This year the Qingzhou matter has finally been accomplished. There are still many things ahead. For next year, Lord Chen may deal with some people in Dongjiang Town. You must pay close attention in the capital. Anything related to Dongjiang Town must be recorded and sent to Denglai."

"Listening to Mr. Song… Mr. Song, are you leaving?"

"Naturally. The Foreign Affairs Department has a pile of matters. Although the capital is important, I can't abandon things there either." Song Wenxian narrowed his eyes. He knew he could not stray too far from Dengzhou's center of power. Although Yang Yun's seniority was far inferior to his own, if Yang kept handling departmental affairs, his internal authority would surpass Song's.

He added one more line to Zhang Dahui. "But I will travel slowly. Regarding the Qingzhou Regional Commander matter, you should first dispatch a fast horse to Denglai to inform Lord Chen."

The fast horse from the capital set out, changing horses at trading company posts along the way. The trading companies served as Dengzhou's relay stations. Even so, by the time Chen Xin received the news, eight days had already passed.

Chen Xin had made an inspection tour of Pingdu and Qingzhou, mainly checking the training of the reserve troops. In winter the earth was frozen hard as iron. The fortified villages had no agricultural activity, nor could they repair roads. It was precisely the time to train the reserves. These farming households could also earn some subsidies during winter.

After the Lushun battle, Chen Xin accelerated the pace of replacing veterans. A batch of experienced non-commissioned officers was transferred to the Mobilization Department, assigned to various mobilization headquarters, and then new recruits were added to the standing troops. Although the number of combat soldiers appeared unchanged, the total headcount had actually increased by over a thousand. The potential mobilization capacity was even stronger. With these NCOs filling the ranks, the combat power of the mobilized troops would rise a notch.

Dengzhou's standing army was formed by drawing and mixing men from various fortified villages. These reserve troops, however, still relied on the fortified village system, using community bonds to forge the cohesion of the mobilized units. People who labored together daily and trained together naturally had more trust in each other than strangers.

After receiving the news, Chen Xin immediately returned to Dengzhou and summoned Geng Zhongming before the court order arrived.

Standing in Chen Xin's study, Geng Zhongming felt somewhat ill at ease. Ordinarily, he was a figure of some standing in Dengzhou. The brokerages under his control recognized no special connections. Unless it was a high court official or someone above the local county magistrate, everyone else's taxes were collected without exception. No one's pleading made any difference.

Even Wang Tingshi and Lu Zhi no longer shouted at him, yet every time he saw Chen Xin he felt an involuntary nervousness. Even knowing full well that Chen Xin would not move against him, he could not suppress that fear. Moreover, he had now developed a habit: after sitting down, he would check whether anyone was behind him. He did this even when eating at home. Unless it was a trusted confidant, he could not eat at ease.

"General Geng, please sit. First, congratulations on your promotion." Chen Xin politely invited Geng Zhongming to sit.

"It is all by your lordship's grace. This humble one understands clearly." After speaking, Geng Zhongming sat on just a corner of the seat, then turned his head to look behind him. Halfway through the turn he remembered this was Chen Xin's study and hurriedly turned back. Chen Xin was pouring tea and did not notice Geng Zhongming's movement.

Chen Xin had only two personal guards in his study. This was also his habit — he would not meet alone with people of relatively high martial prowess. He brought over a pot of tea himself and poured a cup for Geng Zhongming, causing Geng Zhongming to stand up again.

After seating himself properly, Chen Xin said, "It is also because General Geng truly has military merit. Although you did not directly face the enemy at Lushun, when General Geng fought in Henan you led from the front. This official witnessed it with his own eyes."

Geng Zhongming felt a slight pride in his heart. After all, this was his own genuine achievement. Having it acknowledged always brought some satisfaction, especially from this astute superior.

Chen Xin continued, "This time as you take up the post of Regional Commander, you will still need to make a trip to the capital. If you encounter any inconveniences along the way, just say the word at the local trading company. They can generally handle local matters. Once you reach the capital, do not go to the trading company. Someone will naturally come to find you. If you need to inquire about news or such, just ask them. There is nothing they do not know."

Geng Zhongming understood that Chen Xin was hinting at him: do not entertain any ill intentions; his people are everywhere. Geng Zhongming hurriedly said, "This subordinate understands. I thank your lordship for your care. This subordinate has always been a crude mountain fellow, ignorant of many things in the capital. If there are urgent matters in the capital, I will have no choice but to entrust the trading company people to ask your lordship to help make decisions."

Hearing him state his stance, Chen Xin waved his hand and said, "There won't be any major issues. It's the same as your last audience with His Majesty — just the usual formalities for officials. Whether it's His Majesty or the ministry heads, whatever instructions they give, just agree to them. If anything truly difficult arises, discuss it with Zhang Dahui in the capital. He has many connections there and can also help you come up with ideas."

After Chen Xin last told him he would help him become Qingzhou Regional Commander, Geng Zhongming had privately pondered this matter. Chen Xin had certainly set his sights on Qingzhou Prefecture's territory. He also knew how to act. Of course, the most critical part was Qingzhou's three battalions. The Main Battalion would certainly go to the Qingzhou Regional Commander. The remaining one Raiding Battalion and one Mobile Corps depended on who would be assigned later. He estimated that at least one would go to Dengzhou Garrison; otherwise, it would be hard to convince the public, because Dengzhou's military merits had already been suppressed too much.

Geng Zhongming decided not to beat around the bush any longer and said directly to Chen Xin, "Lord Chen, this subordinate has an presumptuous request. This subordinate originally had five hundred retainers. A Qingzhou Regional Commander needs at least three thousand troops. I cannot muster that number. This subordinate has observed daily that the garrison troops of Dengzhou's fortified villages are brave and skilled in battle. I venture to ask your lordship to grant a convenience, allowing this humble one to recruit soldiers from the fortified villages."

Chen Xin laughed heartily. This Geng Zhongming was indeed clever, handing him the ladder himself and saving everyone the breath. He immediately agreed, "It is all for the nation's campaigns, so of course it is convenient. General Geng, just go to the capital for your audience. This official agrees to the matter of troops. By the time you return, there will naturally be a full complement of crack soldiers." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian to cast your votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to read.)

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