Chapter 146

Guangzhou Port.

Looking at the land ahead, the soldiers couldn't help but let out a cheer.

Sailing on the sea in this day and age is not an enjoyment.

From Yangzhou to Guangzhou, although there are many ports along the way, the soldiers have no chance to go ashore.

Local officials view them as floods and wild beasts, preferring to send good wine and food rather than see the army go ashore.

Such treatment makes Li Mu very helpless.

The reputation of Great Dayu's official army has been ruined by their predecessors; now everyone is afraid of guest troops like tigers.

Compared to other units, the Yangzhou Camp's reputation is considered good.

But the good reputation is only useful in Yangzhou Prefecture.

In the eyes of the outside world, the Yangzhou Camp is the same as other official armies.

As the ships slowly docked, the crowd welcoming them on the pier walked over quickly.

"Brother Li, it seems they don't take you seriously at all!"

Tang Jincheng pointed to the welcoming team and said jokingly.

Not to mention the Provincial Governor and Provincial Administration Commissioner, even the Guangdong Provincial Surveillance Commissioner and Guangzhou Prefect did not show up.

Judging from the official uniforms, the highest-ranking civil official responsible for the reception at the scene was only Rank Seven.

The military generals gave a bit more face, with the leader also being Rank Three, but it was clearly led by the civil official.

Great Dayu values civil and devalues military; Li Mu has long been accustomed to it.

But this is the first time he has encountered a Rank Three military general mixing behind a Rank Seven civil official.

"It's just as well that they don't take it seriously, so we won't have to feel bad when we leave later."

Li Mu said with a smile.

Docking at Guangzhou Port, he just wanted to go up and rest his feet, and by the way, tell the Ministry of War that he had arrived at the battlefield on time.

But that doesn't mean he is willing to listen to the command and dispatch under the Guangdong Provincial Governor.

Experience tells him that fighting under the command of civil officials usually doesn't have good results.

Before the expedition, he had already inquired and had a basic understanding of the Guangdong Provincial Governor.

"Brother Li, you want to take a detour from the sea and land from Lianzhou Prefecture to attack the rebel army.

But if you do this, what about the army's logistics?"

Tang Jincheng asked in horror.

They had worked together before, and he believed in Li Mu's military command ability.

The problem is that when the army goes on an expedition, there is an unavoidable problem—grain and fodder.

Especially for a unit like the Yangzhou Camp that has cavalry, the demand for grain and fodder is even greater.

It is also valuing civil and devaluing military; Great Dayu is not as extreme as the Great Song.

There won't be a bizarre scene where Rank Two or Three military generals have to bow to Rank Six or Seven civil officials.

If one can solve the money and grain oneself, military generals can also not buy the civil officials' account.

In the Great Dayu Law, civil and military officials of the same rank have the same political status.

Whether attending court meetings or participating in major activities, they are all ranked directly according to their rank.

"Before the expedition, I communicated with the Nanzhili Provincial Governor's office.

I am responsible for taking away you plagues, and they are responsible for providing the grain and fodder needed by the army.

The imperial court has an order for Nanzhili to raise one hundred thousand shi of military grain for Guangdong.

Anyway, they have to bleed heavily, so giving it to anyone is the same!

The Yangzhou Camp is still our own people; it's not too much to take care of them, right?

As long as we can win the battle, the imperial court won't mind who the money and grain were spent on."

Hearing Li Mu's explanation, Tang Jincheng didn't believe it at all.

Just giving them a ride, where is it worth paying such a heavy price.

According to the custom of the officialdom, grain and fodder are managed by the civil officials responsible for commanding the great war.

Sending it directly to the front-line troops is breaking the rules of the officialdom.

Unless there are greater interests, the group of officials in Nanzhili would never easily offend their colleagues in Guangdong.

Suddenly, seeming to think of something, Tang Jincheng's body trembled.

"Taking away" can not only mean giving a ride on the way, but can also be directly sending them to hell.

After a brief loss of focus, he quickly regained his composure.

"Many thanks to Brother Li for the reminder; Tang knows what to do!"

Tang Jincheng said with a look of gratitude.

Knowing that civil officials look down on the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he originally thought it was just suffering some difficulties and executing some high-risk tasks.

He never expected that people were thinking of eliminating future trouble once and for all.

After understanding the truth, he decisively chose to play dumb.

After Li Mu nodded slightly, he took the team directly and started chatting with the people who came to welcome them.

Not valuing the Yangzhou Camp is a matter for those above.

It has nothing to do with these people below, so there is no need to vent anger on them.

For the sake of a moment of anger, making things stiff is not good for anyone.

"County Magistrate Lin, I am afraid the camp you provided is not enough.

This reinforcement operation is highly valued by the Nanzhili Provincial Governor's office and the Nanjing Six Ministries.

Coming here this time, I not only brought the Yangzhou Camp, but also the Yangzhou Navy and the newly formed camp sent by Nanjing.

I am afraid we need to mark out another piece of land for us to build barracks."

Hearing Li Mu's words, Lin Chenxuan was stunned on the spot.

Reinforcements from various places have always been understaffed; when have they ever seen overstaffing?

But there is no need to fake such things.

Even if one is making trouble, there is no need to ask for another piece of land.

"No problem, I will arrange it immediately!"

Lin Chenxuan agreed immediately.

Deep in his heart, he couldn't help but curse.

A large number of reinforcements is a good thing for pacifying the rebellion.

But for him, the county magistrate responsible for the reception, it is a disaster.

Guest troops and bandits can basically be equated.

If these soldiers are not settled well, who knows how much trouble will be caused.

The Provincial Governor's office pushed the problem to the Guangzhou Prefectural office, and the Prefectural office pushed the matter to the county.

After reaching the county, there was no way to push it down anymore.

It looks like the pay for pacifying the thieves will have to be increased again, otherwise the days in the county won't be good this year.

……

Capital, Zuo Mansion.

"Brother Zuo, please calm down first.

The matter in Guangxi was completely an accident.

I really didn't know the White Lotus Sect demons were so powerful!

......"

Yin Zhiming explained tirelessly.

The great cause of toppling the Eunuchs was completed, but Yin and Zuo also developed a rift because of this.

The plan was thought up by Yin Zhiming, and the Yin family was also responsible for the implementation.

How could they have the ability to provoke conflict but be unable to control the development of the situation, directly tricking Zuo Hongjiang's student to death.

The teacher-student relationship in the Great Dayu Dynasty has always been the most reliable political alliance in officialdom.

Regardless of whether it was an accident or not, a favorite student was tricked to death; the teacher definitely won't feel comfortable.

"Hmph!"

"Brother Yin, you should do less planning in the future!

My courage is small, and I really don't dare to get involved anymore."

Zuo Hongjiang said unhappily.

If he had known the consequences would be so serious, he definitely wouldn't have gotten involved.

Toppling the Eunuch Party is important, but harming the country and the people is not what he wanted.

Political figures just have low moral bottom lines, which doesn't mean they don't have brains.

According to their way of tossing, the Great Dayu Dynasty will sooner or later be ruined.

Under a collapsed nest, there are no unbroken eggs.

The prestige they have accumulated now is nothing in troubled times.

When it really comes time to change dynasties, the founding monarch won't be as easy to fool as the current one.

Just their political ideology alone could lead to losing their heads.

"Brother Zuo, rest assured, this kind of thing is only this once; there will definitely not be a next time!"

Yin Zhiming immediately guaranteed.

Causing such a big mess not only scared Zuo Hongjiang, but Yin Zhiming was also not lightly scared.

Originally, he just wanted to create an excuse to topple the Eunuchs; no one expected it would trigger a rebellion that would affect several provinces.

Fortunately, they chose Guangxi, which has a relatively small impact on the world situation.

If it were a Central Plains province, such a great chaos would shake the foundation of Great Dayu.

"That would be best!

The plan against the Cabinet, let's cancel it for now.

In such a mess, whoever is in Pang Hengsheng's position, the days won't be good.

Yesterday we entered the palace, and the Emperor's face was very ugly.

Although he didn't say it explicitly, his attitude toward the two of us is clearly not as good as before.

The Emperor just doesn't understand government affairs, not that he is really stupid.

If there is too much tossing, the Emperor will definitely notice something is wrong."

Zuo Hongjiang said slowly.

It can be seen that the Guangxi incident was a big blow to him.

Compared to when he first entered the capital, Zuo Hongjiang has deep doubts about his own ability.

"Brother Zuo, some things are not something we can stop just because we want to.

In the process of toppling the Eunuch Party, it is true that you and I accumulated countless prestige.

But this prestige is also a double-edged sword; while bringing benefits, it also left countless hidden dangers.

Even if you and I want to stop, so many scholars and officials who participated in toppling the Eunuchs won't agree.

There are only so many positions in the court; if we don't pull the people above down, how can everyone get promoted?

Because of the Eunuch Party's matter, the remaining seven regents all regard us as thorns in their side.

Now as long as we are slightly slack, you and I will definitely die without a burial place!"

Yin Zhiming shook his head and said.

From the moment they provoked the White Lotus Sect rebellion, they had no way out.

After the imperial court pacifies the rebellion, it will inevitably investigate the cause.

If they cannot occupy a high position and hold the power of the court, sooner or later they will be investigated.

Some things don't need evidence.

Whoever is the biggest beneficiary and happened to appear is the suspect.

It just so happens that a group of regents are unhappy with them, and people can completely use the topic to play.

To topple the Eunuch Party, they did too many things that couldn't see the light; just investigating one could make them lose their reputation.

The Emperor who supports them now will be the one who wants to kill them the most at that time.

"Sigh!

If we continue to take action at this time, we can only incite the Emperor to take personal control of the government early.

The seven regents in the court are not to be trifled with; once this matter is proposed, we will completely fall out with them.

They didn't move against the two of us, not because they couldn't, but because they cared about their reputation.

When it really comes to life and death, killing us directly won't take much effort.

Don't look at the fact that many people support us, but most of these people are scattered officials, and very few hold real power.

The core positions in the court are mostly their seven people's factions.

If you want to topple them, you have to play with your life!"

Zuo Hongjiang sighed and said.

Fighting from the outside against those in the court, one is already at an absolute disadvantage.

Prestige cannot be eaten as a meal; unlike toppling the Eunuchs, which has a broad mass base, there are very few who dare to go against a group of regents.

Raising one's arms and shouting, it is very likely just a shout.

"News came from the old home that someone in Suzhou Prefecture is investigating the Yin family.

Since someone has targeted me, I think Brother Zuo can't run away either.

For some people, wanting to fabricate charges is simply too simple.

Now we can only take a dangerous path, first create trouble in the court to divert everyone's attention."

After Yin Zhiming finished speaking, Zuo Hongjiang was startled.

The last time Yin Zhiming said to create trouble, it directly led to the fall of Guangxi; he really couldn't bear it if it happened again.

"Brother Yin, it shouldn't be like this.

In a few months, the Emperor will change the era name.

Then there will be the grand wedding and personal rule; it's only a few months, so please be patient for a while.

Don't be impulsive!"

Zuo Hongjiang hurriedly persuaded.

The two are bound too tightly in politics; if one is unlucky, the other can't run away either.

Regarding Yin Zhiming's wonderful plan, he still has lingering fears and really doesn't want to work together.

"Brother Zuo, rest assured, this time there is no need to do anything; just follow along and add fuel to the fire.

After all, our Cabinet Minister Pang and Sima Yi are truly a bit..."

(End of chapter)