Chapter 79: The Cannon Fodder Marches Out

Words unaligned, not a single sentence more; their meeting ended in less than fifteen minutes.

Leaving the yamen with a belly full of doubts, he was assigned to reside in a lavish salt merchant’s mansion.

Upon seeing the interior decor, Xu Wenyue was so enraged he wanted to curse.

The violations of protocol were far too numerous—even he, a cabinet minister, dared not be so brazen.

Just as he was about to sit down and calm himself, he spotted the golden dragon carving on the chair.

Had he not examined closely and noticed the dragon was missing one claw, he would have thought someone was secretly crafting an imperial throne.

Even so, Xu Wenyue dared not sit.

In an instant, he understood why Emperor Tianyuan was determined to destroy these salt merchants.

They were truly too arrogant, utterly ignorant of heaven’s height and earth’s depth.

An awkward scene soon emerged.

He dared not sit on the chair left by the owner.

He dared not sleep in the bedroom left by the owner.

He dared not use the bedding left by the owner.

…

The only things he could use were the servants’ belongings.

The main reason this estate had been left vacant was that its protocol violations were too numerous—no one dared live here.

Even the most audacious prodigal sons dared not touch it; Xu Wenyue was even less likely to.

For ordinary people to violate protocol could be excused as ignorance; the emperor usually didn’t care.

But for a sitting cabinet minister to violate protocol was a serious political matter.

“No need to waste time tidying up—move directly to the servants’ quarters.”

“It’s only a few days anyway; once Marquis Wuyang departs, we’ll move to the yamen!”

Xu Wenyue said through clenched teeth.

He had barely entered Yangzhou and already been lured into a deep pit.

Fortunately, he had been cautious enough—if he’d been careless and moved in without scrutiny, disaster would have followed.

“Your Excellency, why don’t we stay at an inn instead?”

“This mansion has too many protocol violations; if a censor impeaches us, it’ll be hard to explain later.”

Hou Huaichang stepped forward to advise.

One who becomes a cabinet minister’s private secretary is no ordinary man.

His unseemly display at the city gate earlier was due to experiential bias—not proof of incompetence.

Though the Censorate appears to be controlled by pure stream officials, it is not Xu Wenyue’s personal fiefdom.

His rivals in officialdom come not only from the eunuch faction but also from challengers within the pure stream itself.

When interests are involved, one’s own people often strike harder than outsiders.

“Hmm, then find an inn.”

“Something ordinary will do—remember, no luxury.”

“Also, send someone to investigate what Marquis Wuyang has been up to lately.”

“And the Yangzhou gentry’s stance is highly suspicious—must be clarified!”

Xu Wenyue gave careful instructions.

Once bitten by a snake, one fears a well for ten years.

With someone watching, he dared not be as ostentatious as he had been on the road.

Too many unclear points—he couldn’t sleep until he understood the situation.

Normally, local gentry should be close to him, a civil minister of the cabinet, not entangle themselves with imperial relatives.

Establishing ties with him would mean great significance for their sons serving in the court.

Marquis Wuyang, merely an imperial relative, could bring them no tangible benefit even if their relationship were strongest.

“Master, rest assured—I’ll arrange for someone to handle it immediately!”

No sooner had Hou’s secretary finished speaking than the household steward approached with a formal invitation.

“Master, Commander Shi has sent an invitation for you to attend tonight’s banquet.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Wenyue was stunned for a long moment.

What Commander Shi? He’d never heard of him.

The Great Yu had countless commanders; over three hundred were merely guard commanders alone.

For some random commander to send him an invitation—how presumptuous, how little regard for his status as a cabinet minister.

Normally, formal banquets required invitations sent three days in advance, with time and place agreed upon.

Last-minute invitations were reserved for elders to juniors, superiors to subordinates, or those with exceptional familiarity.

If no such familiarity existed, it meant you were merely a filler guest, not the honored one.

A lowly commander dared such disrespect—Xu Wenyue wondered if his usual kindness had made everyone forget his power.

“Master, this Commander Shi is from the family of Imperial Consort Rong.”

Hearing the steward’s reminder, Xu Wenyue’s anger instantly dissipated—he couldn’t quarrel with fools.

No one with half a brain would let an imperial relative court a cabinet minister.

Especially the Rong family, a favorite concubine’s kin, easily linked to palace intrigues influencing court affairs.

A whisper of such ties could be fatal.

Marquis Wuyang’s initial hostility toward him stemmed not only from power struggles but also from their respective statuses.

“Tell the messenger that I am unwell and cannot attend the banquet.”

“No—just say I have no time for him!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Xu Wenyue chose to speak bluntly.

If this fool misunderstood and came bearing gifts to visit him, it would be another headache.

Marquis Wuyang had mentioned Commander Shi once before, but Xu Wenyue hadn’t taken it seriously—there were many Rong commanders in Great Yu.

Now it was different: Yangzhou had no other army; it was almost certain the vanguard officer Marquis Wuyang referred to was this Commander Shi.

Assigning this fool as vanguard—suddenly, Xu Wenyue felt his brain wasn’t large enough.

He had read the victory reports; the noble scions of the Five City Garrison generally performed at the average level of Great Yu's military officers.

Pick any subordinate battalion or company commander—they’d be ten times more reliable than this fellow.

He was about to speak, to warn someone, but swallowed the words mid-sentence.

An imperial relative’s internal problem—what did it have to do with him, a civil official?

Without proper standing, offering unsolicited advice would only make them think he was blocking their path to glory.

…

The next day, dawn.

Marquis Wuyang arrived early with his men to see off the army about to march.

Though not invited, as imperial commissioner, Xu Wenyue also arrived early at the parade ground.

The well-wishers had come—but the main figure was nowhere to be seen.

“Marquis, truly excellent discipline!”

Xu Wenyue said with a sardonic smile.

With such foolish kin in his ranks, one could imagine how hard it was to command the troops.

Worse still, the Five City Garrison had not one such kin, but many.

“Hah!”

“Thank you, Minister Xu—I’ve always led my troops with leniency.

As long as we win battles, I overlook minor lapses!”

Though his words were light, deep inside, Marquis Wuyang seethed with rage.

The reputation he’d painstakingly built during the Yangzhou defense had been ruined by these fools.

Had he not needed them to lure the enemy, he’d have sent them straight to military execution.

Only when the sun was high did Commander Shi arrive, late, along with his cronies.

“Enough talk—get over and report in.”

“You’re their commander now—fulfill your duty!”

Commander Shi was surprised he wasn’t punished.

Marquis Wuyang was no easygoing man—even his own kin who crossed him rarely escaped a beating.

“Your servant obeys!”

…

(End of Chapter)