Chapter 80: Radically Different Departure

Once a farce begins, it won’t end easily.

The inexperienced Commandant Shi, facing so many soldiers, appeared especially agitated.

Perhaps he was too nervous and forgot what to say.

Or perhaps his slacker nature kicked in—he hadn’t memorized his prepared speech.

After stepping onto the stage, he kept confusing the order of events and misusing idioms and allusions.

The loud-mouthed soldiers assigned to relay his words were all his personal retainers, equally clueless, repeating whatever their master said.

Soon the entire camp was filled with laughter and merriment, utterly lacking the solemnity befitting an army.

As an onlooker, Li Mu never closed his mouth the entire time.

Unfortunately, Commandant Shi’s personal fame was too low, and the enemy he faced were also insignificant figures.

Otherwise, his performance today might have become a historical anecdote to warn future generations.

Such a joyous departure ceremony was exceedingly rare throughout human history.

The Regional Commander, Marquis Wuyang, kept a black expression throughout.

His subordinates had shamed him; his own face bore no honor.

From his murderous gaze, Li Mu read Commandant Shi’s future.

Even if he somehow survived the battlefield, this man would never live to return to the capital.

The constant farces directly disrupted the ceremony’s progress.

The brief departure ceremony dragged on until noon, stumbling through every step.

At the final moment, a dissolute young man whom Li Mu did not recognize foolishly shouted, "Let's eat lunch first!"—enraging Marquis Wuyang, who drew his sword on the spot.

Had he not surrendered quickly enough, and had Marquis Wuyang not been too disinterested in killing a dead man, he’d likely have been beheaded right there to consecrate the banner.

By this point, anyone with half a brain realized this campaign had no future.

Regret was too late—the departure ceremony was complete.

To withdraw now would invite military law, which was no joke.

No matter how powerful your backer, there was no turning back now.

After watching the army depart, nearby colleagues all wore expressions of relief.

Clearly, they genuinely despised this band of incompetent allies.

Witnessing the internal strife among military officers, Xu Wenyue suddenly realized that civil officials were far better.

Though internal politics were brutal, they usually ended with retirement, rarely with total extermination.

Military officers, when betraying their comrades, truly killed people.

Of this army before him, it was uncertain whether half would survive to return.

Deep inside, he scorned the crude nature of soldiers, then fell silent, refusing to provoke Marquis Wuyang further.

His instinct told him that if pushed too far, this man would truly draw his sword and cut someone down.

…

Xixi Man.

Yangzhou’s most famous flower boat, ever since being chartered today, had lost its former poetic charm.

“Grand Secretary Xu has traveled far from the capital, yet the Yangzhou gentry have shown such indifference—it has greatly angered the Grand Secretary.

I pleaded and argued for hours just to secure this opportunity.

Say what you have to say, quickly.

If you have no reasonable explanation, then from now on, we go our separate ways—no more contact!”

Hou Huaichang demanded sharply.

Those present today were either former clients of Grand Secretary Xu or his old acquaintances.

Even without close ties, they could still claim some connection.

Upon Grand Secretary Xu’s arrival as Imperial Commissioner, these people had made no effort to welcome him—in Hou Huaichang’s view, utterly unforgivable.

If no punishment followed, others would follow suit, and Grand Secretary Xu’s influence at court would surely plummet.

If his patron’s status was undermined, his own position as private secretary would fall even further.

“Master Hou, it’s not that we lack respect for the Grand Secretary—it’s truly unavoidable.

Yangzhou is no longer what it once was.

Anyone who opposed the Five City Military Command has been thrown into prison, charged with colluding with rebels!”

Wang Wenju spoke with a troubled expression.

He had no desire whatsoever to attend this meeting.

But he and Hou Huaichang were former classmates; the invitation had been delivered to his door—refusing would be slapping Grand Secretary Xu in the face.

“Marquis Wuyang is someone you can’t afford to offend—surely you think Grand Secretary Xu is easy to bully?

The Five City Military Command scared you into submission—where is the scholar’s integrity?”

Hou Huaichang’s mockery caused everyone to lower their heads.

Each family’s situation was similar—they all had some connection, however slight, to the Seven Great Families.

They were all Qingliu Party members; as a Qingliu elder, Xu Wenyue had to consider the group’s interests and couldn’t push things too far.

Offending Grand Secretary Xu might only slightly hinder their sons’ official careers.

But Marquis Wuyang was different—he accused people of treason at the drop of a hat.

Regardless of whether guilt was proven, he’d first confiscate property and exterminate families, then search for evidence later.

In Yangzhou, the Five City Military Command held the strongest fist; officials who disagreed had all been placed under house arrest.

If someone could withstand scrutiny, perhaps a few might risk defiance to gain fame.

But the gentry of the Two Huai regions had intermarried for generations—everyone was somehow connected, near or far.

Even without evidence, they were still members of the rebel’s nine clans.

Once thrown into prison, there was no hope of release.

They had spent enormous sums just to bribe their way out and save their entire clans.

The amnesty decree had been issued by Marquis Wuyang himself—he could sign it, and he could revoke it. No one dared gamble.

“Hmph!”

“A bunch of cowards!”

“What’s there to fear? Marquis Wuyang leaves with his troops tomorrow—then Yangzhou will…”

Hou Huaichang’s performance was bound to be useless.

When entire families’ lives were at stake, no one dared gamble.

The Five City Military Command could leave Yangzhou—and return just as easily.

Grand Secretary Xu held high rank and power, true—but he had no troops.

When Marquis Wuyang ordered arrests, he couldn’t personally intervene to stop him—their relationship wasn’t that close.

“Master Hou, please don’t put us in this bind.

So many Yangzhou officials have been imprisoned.

Why don’t you first find a way to get Grand Secretary Xu to release them?”

The head of the Lei family spoke up.

The arrested Yangzhou Assistant Prefect was his own clansman.

If Grand Secretary Xu could indeed rescue him, it would be a tremendous gain.

But it was all destined to be in vain—cases involving treason were always easier to arrest than to release.

Releasing suspects without tripartite judicial review was handing your enemies a sword.

Knowing full well the risks, Hou Huaichang naturally dared not promise anything on Grand Secretary Xu’s behalf.

The gathering ended in acrimony.

…

The next morning.

Same parade ground, same departure ceremony—but the scene before them was utterly different.

Compared to yesterday’s rabble, as soon as Xu Wenyue entered the camp, he sensed a chilling aura.

“So the Five City Military Command’s victory over the rebels wasn’t just luck!”

After this remark, Xu Wenyue’s gaze fixed on Marquis Wuyang.

No long speech reached his ears—only two words: “Depart.” Then the army marched out in orderly formation.

“Grand Secretary, Marquis Wuyang is being far too careless!”

Sensing his master wished to speak, Hou Huaichang smoothly offered the opening.

“It only proves Marquis Wuyang is a clever man.

The proclamation before departure was never meant for the soldiers—they wouldn’t understand it anyway.

Here, there are no spectators worth performing for; simplicity is natural.

Besides, his own merit is hollow—how much literary talent could he possibly possess?

Rather than imitate Commandant Shi and show off his scholarship to make a fool of himself, simplicity is better.

Departing sooner lets them cover more ground.”

…

(End of Chapter)