Chapter 132: Section 16: A Clever Plan Backfires

At the end of the tenth month of the third year of the Tianqi reign.

The biting cold wind once again swept across the shores of Zhangsheng Island. Over six thousand men, women, and children of Zhangsheng were building a shore wall, which had already begun to take shape under Deng Ken's supervision.

"General Huang, this shore wall doesn't look very sturdy." Wu Mu scrambled up and down inspecting the wall; the entire long wall was enclosed by wooden palisades, with the space between filled with a large amount of weeds, rubble, and earth.

"Your keen observation is correct, Eunuch Wu. When the winter freezing season arrives, I will send men to pour water over the wall so it freezes into an ice rampart, which will make it sturdy."

Huang Shi explained to Wu Mu with a smile. The crisis period for Zhangsheng Island only occurred during the freezing season, and at that time the ice wall using water as a binder would be very solid. If it was not the freezing season, the Later Jin cavalry could not cross the ice to attack, so it would not matter even if the wall was not sturdy.

"General Huang is far-sighted." Wu Mu exclaimed in admiration, then immediately threw out another question: "Isn't setting the main camp here too dangerous? I think it would be better to set the main camp on the western island, leaving only a small force at Beixinkou."

"Transport between the two islands is inconvenient. If the Jianzhou slaves come to attack, I fear reinforcements would not arrive in time. In winter, the ground is frozen solid and there is no fodder in the wild. A small Jianzhou slave force would have to leave within a few days. Setting the main camp here is absolutely safe."

Wu Mu's eyes darted around a few times: "Then what if a large Jianzhou slave force comes to attack, what should be done?"

"The freezing period is only a few dozen days. I will organize men to chisel the ice, so the true danger period will not exceed ten days. All six thousand people of my Zhangsheng Island are here, which is enough to hold them off. Eunuch Wu need not worry."

"As long as that's the case, as long as that's the case."

On the fifth day of the eleventh month, Chen Ruike returned from the capital in high spirits. Wu Mu also had someone invite Huang Shi over. When they met, Wu Mu was rubbing his hands together gleefully and gestured with his chin toward Chen Ruike: "Explain it to General Huang in detail."

When Chen Ruike arrived in the capital, he went to submit the army supervisor's memorial and was soon granted an audience. During the audience, he discovered that the person facing him was none other than Eunuch Wei, the Director of the Eastern Depot.

At that time, Eunuch Wei not only had a smiling face but also granted Chen Ruike a stool to sit on.

Even now, as Chen Ruike recounted it, he was still so excited his face flushed red, gesticulating wildly and spraying spittle as he spoke: "Eunuch Wei said that the Dongjiang victory report had already been presented to His Majesty. As for General Huang's report written on that piece of cloth, Regional Commander Mao had specially placed it in a brocade box and sent it up together with the rest."

At this point, Chen Ruike slapped his thighs in excitement, letting out a rasping, cackling laugh from his throat: "His Majesty was greatly pleased, the dragon countenance was greatly pleased..." He had been laughing as he spoke all along, and now he was so overjoyed he doubled over with laughter, which was immediately followed by a violent fit of coughing, rendering him unable to utter another word. Zhang Gaosheng, who had been standing to the side grinning widely, hurried over to pound his back.

Wu Mu kicked him furiously, sending Chen Ruike sprawling: "It was like this the first time, and it's still like this the second time he tells it. Get up and tell General Huang properly!"

"Forgive me, Eunuch Wu." Chen Ruike coughed and kowtowed.

"Continue. Imitate His Majesty's words for General Huang." Wu Mu did not seem very angry after all. He sat back down cross-legged, narrowed his eyes, and waited to hear the story once more.

"This humble servant obeys." Chen Ruike scrambled to his feet, moved closer to Huang Shi and sat down, his hands once again dancing in the air: "Eunuch Wei said that he personally delivered Regional Commander Mao's victory report to His Majesty. As soon as His Majesty heard it was a victory report from Liaodong, he asked Eunuch Wei: 'Is this Huang Shi again, or Zhang Pan?' Eunuch Wei had of course read the victory report beforehand, so he smiled and replied to His Majesty..."

At this point, Chen Ruike's face had already taken on a dreamlike expression. As he recounted the dialogue, his accent and tone shifted between Tianqi and Wei Zhongxian, and even his expression alternated between a humble smile and the majestic bearing of the Son of Heaven as he imagined it.

"Eunuch Wei said: 'Your Majesty is divinely wise. One report is from Huang Shi, the other from Zhang Pan.' His Majesty then said with great joy: 'Then it must be a great victory. Quickly bring it up for Us—to see.' After reading it, His Majesty also said: 'Wu Mu has handled affairs effectively, and Chen Ruike and Zhang Gaosheng have also brought Us—great credit. All have done very well.' Haha, hahahaha."

When he said the word "Us," Chen Ruike even drew out the syllable, fully acting out that kind of delight. Although the other two people beside Huang Shi were both hearing it for the second time, Zhang Gaosheng was so overjoyed at this point that he was scratching his ears and cheeks, grinning foolishly at Chen Ruike with his mouth wide open. Wu Mu had kept his eyes closed the whole time, stroking his chin and swaying his head with great relish, merely clicking his tongue softly and muttering: "Chen Ruike, you dog of a talent, daring to imitate even His Majesty and Eunuch Wei."

Chen Ruike had already clutched his stomach and collapsed onto his back. At the mere thought that his own name could be known by the Emperor, he could not stop laughing. Although Huang Shi was also very pleased, he was not as overwhelmed with tearful gratitude as they were. To him, the Tianqi Emperor was still just a mortal man, not a demigod.

"His Majesty has bestowed rewards upon me and the two of them. This is all thanks to the reflected glory of General Huang."

Huang Shi quickly cupped his hands in salute: "Eunuch Wu is too kind."

"For General Huang's brilliant victory, routing six thousand Jianzhou slaves with eight hundred troops, His Majesty has already offered sacrifices and announced the triumph at the Taimiao. The ministers have also all submitted memorials of congratulations."

These words from Wu Mu made cold sweat pour from Huang Shi: "Eunuch Wu, did no one truly suspect anything?"

Chen Ruike sat bolt upright in an instant: "There were some at first, but after inspecting the severed heads, there were no more doubts. The Grand Secretariat also said that with five hundred heads taken in open battle, the Jianzhou slaves could not have had six thousand, but certainly no fewer than five thousand."

"I did not deceive General Huang, did I?" Wu Mu smiled smugly at Huang Shi: "General Huang, your proposal to mint coins has also been approved by His Majesty."

Hearing this, Huang Shi felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Although this disgraceful matter still had to remain a secret that could not be divulged, at least it was no longer a problem. He then had wine laid out to celebrate, excused himself to Wu Mu, and personally went out to make the arrangements.

Before he even reached his residence, Huang Shi saw Zhao Manxiong waiting outside with a grave expression. Seeing Huang Shi return, he hurried over and said in a low voice: "The younger brother has returned."

"From Shanhai Pass? Was the matter handled smoothly?" Huang Shi asked casually. The marriage proposal was originally a trivial matter.

"The matter is a bit... a bit troublesome." Zhao Manxiong said haltingly.

In any case, they're all jumping into the pit you dug. What trouble could there be? Huang Shi raised his eyebrows: "Could it be that the Zhao family has agreed to the marriage?" This should be a great victory, so why the long face full of dejection?