[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-368":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Restoring the Mountains and Rivers",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2364637,4623,"Chapter 368: Quibbling","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-368",368,"\u003Cp>After leaving the Provincial Military Commander’s office, the pirates’ heads still buzzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that it? We’ve been pacified already?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems, apart from Xu Nuo, we got nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reappear under the sun, we must fight for it with our lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The government won’t spend a single coin in this process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any problems that arise are entirely their own responsibility, with no connection to the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Commander Li bears no responsibility whatsoever for their actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zhu, was our pacification too hasty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged strongman voiced the doubt in everyone’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though never pacified before, they’d heard stories of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, such matters drag on for a long time, with a series of negotiations leading to an agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d come to pay respects to the Marquis of Han River, fully prepared for a Hongmen Banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They did meet him—but not at all as they’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu simply presented the pacification terms, notified them, and ended it—giving them no chance to bargain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire exchange lasted less than the burn of a stick of incense before they were dismissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Duan, what more do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man of the Marquis of Han River’s stature taking time to see us is already a favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who among us is worthy to negotiate terms with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve never served in the military—you don’t know how much power he holds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me be frank: men like the Marquis of Han River, from the meritocratic faction, wield influence that never stays confined to one region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single order, imperial troops from south to north will mobilize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the Great Yu’s million soldiers, only a handful sit at the center of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the Emperor himself, none hold greater authority than they!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhongxuan’s words, though exaggerated, were indeed true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the meritocratic faction regaining power, the authority of its senior figures has surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides their own loyal subordinates, other Great Yu armies must also show them deference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joining court factional struggles might make people hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if it’s just about targeting a band of pirates, anyone can issue orders with eyes closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap in rank is simply too vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those outside the bureaucracy have no direct sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once pacified, it’s like a mayfly seeing the blue sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless something changes, they’ll never interact again in a lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The founding emperor executed his meritorious subjects not because he truly wanted to break the bridge after crossing, but because their military influence was too great, threatening imperial rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the growing meritocratic faction, Emperor Yongning was deeply wary—but the Great Yu now needs these men to hold it together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reduce their power, he must wait until the realm is at peace, then proceed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crude method of raising the blade outright no longer works in the middle or late stages of a dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>History even has a specific term for it—self-destructing the Great Wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Emperor dares to act, the empire will collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the pirates left, Guangdong’s officials came calling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, did you even consider the law when you secretly met with pirates?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Xingxuan struck first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Censor-in-Inspection, he had suppressed himself too long—and finally found his chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Investigating local civil officials for misconduct carried enormous risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you could topple someone outright, fine; if not, future coexistence in court would become a nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By contrast, targeting meritocrats offered better returns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t in the same system—it was hard to find fault with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as you were in the right, just launch the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you angered them and got beaten, you’d earn a reputation for defying power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Censor Kuang, don’t rush. Sit down, let’s talk calmly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring tea for the officials!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Yu’s censors were a pack of self-destructive ranters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Emperor was often humiliated by them—he wouldn’t dare argue with such fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Win, and you lose dignity; lose, and you lose face entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, tea can wait, but this matter must be settled immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pirates are vicious, ruthless beasts—associating with them is no blessing for the empire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Xingxuan pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to his initial accusation, his momentum had clearly weakened by a third after Li Mu diverted the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, this Censor-in-Inspection wanted fame—but still had reservations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Censor Kuang, you can’t jump to conclusions based on hearsay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What are pirates? And what is my status?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Collusion? Do they even deserve the word?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu shot back immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had conducted the pacification in secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leak happening so fast was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it also proved, indirectly, that someone among the pirates had ties to Guangdong’s local officials—otherwise, the leak wouldn’t have spread so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the meeting lasted longer, they might have caught them in the act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though exposure wouldn’t shake his position, it would severely damage his personal reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since no one had caught him red-handed, he certainly wouldn’t admit it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those in power, if you deny it, it never happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Li Mu wasn’t lying—he hadn’t colluded with pirates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pacification had already been reported to Emperor Yongning via secret memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it succeeded, he had nothing to fear from future accusations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it failed, it would be as if nothing had occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The core purpose of this operation was to use the pirates to purge the entrenched interests of Annan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could have done it himself without their help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But personally wielding the blade would stain him with too much blood, harming future rule over Annan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, so you never met the men who just left the Provincial Military Commander’s office?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Kuang Xingxuan was no match, Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Wu Qiyu joined the fray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His seemingly simple question hid sharp intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Mu had never met the pirates, then someone in the Provincial Military Commander’s office had colluded with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, he had the duty to investigate such matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once a case was opened, the nature of the matter changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At best, a Daomei  subordinate would be sacrificed as a scapegoat; at worst, it would become a collective political scandal of the Provincial Military Commander’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I met them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These men bear grudges against the King of Annan. Hearing I planned to campaign against Annan, they wished to join the war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But given their unknown origins, I politely declined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, before leaving, they donated a sum of military funds to the Provincial Military Commander’s office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does Great Yu law forbid accepting private donations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu’s sophistry left the officials feeling like they’d swallowed flies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d hoped to seize his weakness to gain the upper hand later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They never imagined he’d been ready all along, waiting for them to jump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could they do? Li Mu was Acting Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi—their superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One phrase—“unknown origins”—dismissed the pirate issue entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly was discussed? Unless Li Mu spoke, they had no right to demand answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely meeting pirates was not evidence of a crime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they captured the pirate chieftains and obtained confessions, it would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rank gap was too vast. Not even pirate confessions could touch Li Mu—nor could their own official denunciations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Annan’s invasion imminent and the Two Guangs on the brink, Li Mu was the only one fit to clean up the mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this period, as long as it wasn’t a matter of principle, the court pretended not to see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The character for “official” has two mouths—whichever side holds greater authority wields greater Huayuquan .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pirates don’t give gifts; those are their contributions to military pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Provincial Military Commander’s office accepted the donations, representing the Great Ming court, not Li Mu personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, please calm down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Accepting donations is naturally no problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We came primarily because we received reports from merchants, fearing pirates might harm you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing has happened so far; it seems the informants had ill intentions, aiming to stir up conflict within the bureaucracy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, rest assured—we will interrogate the informants strictly and uncover the masterminds behind this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing the situation was turning against them, An Qingfeng quickly stepped in to define the nature of the incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subordinates challenging superiors is a major taboo in officialdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they could prove they were in the right, it might be manageable—but if they lost even the moral high ground, it would become a major political event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Censor was sent to lead the charge because censors have the authority to report misconduct based on rumor and are exempt from liability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Provincial Surveillance Commissioner who later joined also holds supervisory authority over local officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both acted within their official authority to question Li Mu, their superior, without yet escalating to political struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But theoretically aside, they still lost face today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such incidents can only happen once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, should similar events arise, no one will dare launch such an attack again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The defeat in the civil-military conflict was undoubtedly a major blow to Governor An Qingfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s unconditional support stemmed from their identity as civil officials, needing to declare their political stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such maneuvering can only happen once; now that they realize this governor lacks the power to counterbalance the Viceroy, they must reconsider their alliances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Marquis of Wuyang first served as Viceroy, the two sides clashed once before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Guangdong had not yet been fully reclaimed; leadership positions were mostly vacant, and the region was under military rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the conflict began, the governor was immediately sidelined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after the Marquis of Wuyang departed for the frontlines did local authority return to the governor’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, An Qingfeng’s luck ran bad—he had just gained real power when another “mother-in-law” appeared above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After months of careful planning, he had barely taken his first step when he walked straight into a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After today, many local officials will surely gravitate toward Li Mu, the acting Viceroy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency, you’re too modest!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are all serving the empire; a minor misunderstanding can be cleared up easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Annamese, with their ambitious designs, will not limit themselves to military action—they will likely stir up discord in the rear as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of battles have erupted along the Guangxi frontlines; only the soldiers’ fierce determination has thwarted the enemy’s schemes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more critical the moment, the more cautious we must be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, I shall depart for the frontlines to oversee military affairs; the rear must rely on all of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the days ahead, I ask you all to keep your eyes open—do not let Annamese spies exploit any opportunity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu warned, his expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaming the Annamese served both as a face-saving gesture for everyone and as an implicit warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is an Annamese spy? That is not for the Annamese to decide—it is for Li Mu, the acting Viceroy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In future cooperation, whoever refuses to cooperate is an Annamese spy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evidence will naturally emerge after we crush the Annamese state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they knew it was a threat, they had no choice but to accept this face-saving excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s affair was handled far too crudely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to control a high-ranking frontier official with a band of pirates was absurdly childish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no other way—Li Mu was simply too clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was either inside the office or at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when he occasionally inspected military camps, he stayed within the main encampment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding any leverage against him was extremely difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when a single vulnerability was discovered, they had to seize it at all costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We humbly accept the Marquis’s instruction!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone responded in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what they truly thought, they had no choice but to bow their heads now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some clever individuals had already sensed something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s incident felt like a deliberately exposed flaw, meant to lure them in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu’s strength came from military power, deeply embedded in every corner of Guangdong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the visible army, clerks in every level of government were mostly retired soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men seemed insignificant, yet held real authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once a conflict arose, their orders would likely never leave the office gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they saw the situation clearly, they became even more reluctant to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The civil-military conflict, at its core, was still a struggle over interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Collective interests are not the same as individual interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smarter one is, the more one knows how to plan for oneself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can’t beat them, join them—if military power dominates this region, then join the military side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one is later transferred elsewhere, returning to the civil faction will always be possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In officialdom, there are only eternal interests, never eternal alliances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid a series of good news, Emperor Yongning finally had a good New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the good times didn’t last long—right after the new year, the situation shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being struck by border troops, the Guanzhong rebels, unable to bear the pressure, broke out of their encirclement and entered Shanxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cross-provincial military movements required imperial approval; the Shaanxi Jiaofei  army halted at the border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move severely burdened Shanxi’s officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two provinces descended into bickering: Shanxi officials impeached Shaanxi’s Provincial Governor for dereliction of duty, accusing Shaanxi of deliberately driving rebels into Shanxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaanxi officials fired back, insisting they had notified Shanxi in advance to intercept the rebels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They claimed Shanxi’s officials were derelict for failing to mobilize troops in time, allowing the rebels to break out and trigger the ensuing disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dispute escalated all the way to Emperor Yongning’s court; both sides had their arguments, and truth had become a tangled mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My ministers, what do you make of the conflict between Shaanxi and Shanxi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Yongning asked, exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the case brought to him, he could not pretend not to see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If accountability was pursued, one province’s officials would inevitably face a massive purge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having suffered such losses before, Emperor Yongning had grown cautious in personnel appointments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2333,"2026-06-21T08:09:04.021Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","06b17005f863d9b137a343739ccf2f2e409cef40aa035d974369cc324866d702","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-369","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-367",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frestoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-cover.jpg"]