[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-ming":3,"chapter-stealing-ming-stealing-ming-chapter-224":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Stealing Ming",{"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},1220841,1614,"Chapter 224: Section Thirty-Nine: Storytelling","stealing-ming-chapter-224",224,"\u003Cp>Ever since entering the capital, Huang Shi had kept a low profile. Having already abandoned any ambition to seize the realm, he naturally had no need to win the people's adulation. Today, the group from Changsheng Island all wore ordinary military uniforms, and Huang Shi was no exception. Without waiting for Huang Shi's instructions, one of the Inner Guard soldiers announced in a clear voice, \"Greetings, sir. We are soldiers under Zhang Pan, General Zhang of the Left Auxiliary of Dongjiang Town, here on official business in the capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that they were not Huang Shi's subordinates, the man felt a twinge of disappointment but did not let it show in his manners. \"So I was being presumptuous. My apologies, honored soldiers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The customer turned and said to the crowd, \"It has been some time since His Majesty summoned Huang Gongbao to the capital for an audience, but there has been no word of him leaving, so I imagine he is still here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed.\" Another patron further away nodded in agreement and loudly added, \"According to our dynasty's customs, when a frontier general summoned to the capital for an audience departs, the Great Ming Gate is opened and drums are beaten to see him off. Before leaving, Huang Gongbao would also face the palace gate and kowtow three times in gratitude. We have heard no such thing these days, so he must still be here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice came from somewhere unknown: \"Given Huang Gongbao's achievements, might His Majesty see him off from atop the palace walls? That would give us a chance to gaze upon the imperial countenance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That, I cannot say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrons each voiced their own opinions, and the tavern owner could not resist running out from the kitchen, raising his voice to join in. The previously quiet tavern instantly buzzed with noise. A few patrons had brought their womenfolk, and they too joined the discussion in hushed tones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man the waiter had called Ninth Master was angrily cursing the Guanning Army again. The louder he shouted, the more his voice swelled. His business had lost money, and he was seething with rage. \"Taking all that silver and still not fighting properly! Once His Majesty's wrath descends, humph, let them all go drink the northwest wind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't that the truth? Well said, Ninth Master.\" The owner's face was full of indignation. He had already decided to close for a few days, and slashing prices these past two days to clear inventory had pained him deeply. So the moment he heard someone cursing Gao Di, he hurriedly chimed in. The tavern owner had been unable to sleep or eat well these days, had lost considerable weight, and his plump belly had shrunk a size. \"Another curfew. This business is impossible to run. Sooner or later I'll have to shut my doors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a neighboring table, a patron had been quite interested in the group from Changsheng Island. The moment he heard the Inner Guard identify himself as a subordinate of Zhang Pan, he slammed the table and pointed at Jin Qiude, shouting, \"Isn't Huang Gongbao the Vice General of the Dongjiang Left Auxiliary? Then aren't you fellows Huang Gongbao's subordinates?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as these words were shouted, the gazes of everyone in the tavern turned toward Huang Shi's table. Jin Qiude glanced at Huang Shi and saw his superior officer looking down, picking up food with his chopsticks, his face utterly expressionless. Jin Qiude cupped his fist and gestured around, saying to the tavern patrons, \"Greetings, everyone. We... well, General Zhang is subordinate to Military Commander Huang, so naturally we are also under Military Commander Huang...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the words were spoken ambiguously, the tavern instantly grew even livelier. The crowd surged to their feet and pressed around Huang Shi's table, all talking at once, asking what Huang Shi looked like — was his face as full as the moon, his eyes like bronze bells, his strength boundless? Others clamored to ask whether Huang Shi was still in Beijing, if there was a chance to see him, or if they knew where he was staying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the womenfolk at the back tables were stealing glances this way from the corners of their eyes, and one young woman simply sat up straight, openly gazing toward Huang Shi and his men. Huang Shi noticed that his Inner Guard soldiers and Jin Qiude were all grinning with unusual excitement. Smiling, he said to the people around him, \"Everyone, we few are merely here on official business in the capital. Our rank is lowly, and we have never had the chance to meet Military Commander Huang even once, so we cannot describe his appearance. Please forgive us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people around, unable to get any information, were somewhat disappointed. A few sighed and returned to their seats. The others also clearly lost interest; they exchanged a few more casual words and then drifted away listlessly, no longer bothering the Changsheng Island group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they had dispersed, Huang Shi made a gesture for his men to lean in closer. The Changsheng Island men, having lost their chance to show off, had become somewhat listless. Huang Shi lowered his voice and said to them quietly, \"These people have nothing to do with us. They ask for news only to have something to talk about with their friends later. If we get tangled up with them, we won't get anything done. We came to the capital to handle our own affairs; we must absolutely not stir up trouble. Let them chatter on; we'll just eat our own meal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, we're idle all day anyway, with nothing much to do,\" one Inner Guard soldier muttered in dissatisfaction. A bellyful of tall tales and bragging was pent up in his chest, making him deeply uncomfortable. The Inner Guard soldier twisted restlessly in his chair, his lips pursed so tightly they could almost hang an oil bottle, and his voice involuntarily rose. \"We could tell them about things in Liaodong and let them treat us to a round of drinks — that would be nice too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You worthless thing.\" Huang Shi laughed and cursed upon hearing this. Seeing the utterly dejected look on the fellow's face, he understood that the Inner Guard soldier was frustrated at not getting a chance to boast. Huang Shi pushed the wine jug toward him. \"Drink as much as you like. Today, it's my treat — drink your fill.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you have to tell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loud shout suddenly came from behind. It was that Ninth Master again, the one with rabbit ears. The look he directed at Huang Shi was full of reproach and displeasure. Ninth Master turned his head and called to the tavern staff, \"Waiter, put the drinks for that table of soldiers on my tab.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right away!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After instructing the waiter, Ninth Master turned back and gave Huang Shi a smug, self-satisfied smile — the kind of smile Huang Shi had often seen on petty rich men in the past. \"I am ranked ninth, and people call me Ninth Master. How should I address you, honored soldier?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, all eyes in the tavern were once again on Huang Shi and his group. Huang Shi rose helplessly to his feet, cupped his fist toward Ninth Master, and said, \"My surname is Zhang, a Company Commander of Dongjiang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander Zhang, tell us some tales of the frontier.\" Ninth Master's proposal was immediately met with a thunderous response from the crowd. The air was filled with insistent voices, and Ninth Master struck while the iron was hot, calling out, \"Commander Zhang, please do tell us. Never mind this humble drink — after you finish, I will naturally offer a token of appreciation as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment these words were spoken, the faces of Huang Shi's subordinates all changed drastically. Huang Shi was now a high-ranking official of the second rank in the imperial court, while this so-called Ninth Master was nothing more than a common townsman, yet he was shouting and ordering Huang Shi about, his words treating Huang Shi as if he were a mere storyteller. Had Huang Shi not strictly forbidden them from revealing his identity, an Inner Guard soldier would likely have already cursed, \"You wretch, how utterly disrespectful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they made no sound, anger rose on their faces. Huang Shi, however, remained impassive. He cupped his fist to the entire room and said, \"Everyone, five years ago I enlisted and served at the Lushun front. I know you wish to hear stories of Huang Gongbao, but I truly do not know much. If...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Huang Shi could finish, a clamor of voices rose again from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander, just tell us anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Commander, whatever you tell, we'll listen to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right, Commander, we'll love whatever you tell us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi smiled faintly. He pressed lightly on Jin Qiude's shoulder, then stepped away from the table and strode forward a few paces, stopping in an open space. Facing the room full of people, he said, \"I shall tell you of two generals who gave their lives for the nation. Both were surnamed Zhang, but one was the Zhang with 'bow' and 'long,' and the other was the Zhang with 'stand' and 'early'...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tavern owner sensed an opportunity. With a furtive glance, two waiters quickly ran out to the street, doing their utmost to advertise the storytelling Huang Shi — and thus the tavern itself — calling in customers. Ninth Master was still shouting, \"Tea, bring tea quickly, and bring me a plate of melon seeds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Lushun Regional Military Commissioner, the late General Zhang Pan, died just like that at the hands of those petty villains, and Lushun was lost. Fortunately, a few brave brothers of the Gangfeng Battalion fought their way out of the encirclement, found a boat, and alerted all the Great Ming Royal Forces in Liaonan. It was these very brothers who saved Liaonan.\" Huang Shi quietly finished his first story. By now, the tavern patrons had all fallen utterly silent. Huang Shi waved over one of his Inner Guard soldiers — this man was one of those who had come by boat to Changsheng Island to seek help back then. After the Battle of Nanguan, this man had passed screening and training and entered the Inner Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi patted this Inner Guard soldier on the shoulder and introduced him to the crowd. \"This brother here — back then, he was the one who fought through the encirclement and rushed to Changsheng Island to warn Huang Gongbao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story Huang Shi had just told brought back to this Inner Guard soldier the memory of that night when Zhang Pan was captured and the Lushun army was routed. He seemed to see again the harrowing scene of Lushun ablaze with fire reaching the sky, and to hear again the dying groans of countless fallen soldiers. The Inner Guard soldier's eyes turned bloodshot, and both his hands trembled uncontrollably. Choking with emotion, he called out to Huang Shi, \"My lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Inner Guard soldier turned around and shouted with all his might to the people in the tavern, his voice hoarse: \"The late General Zhang never retreated on the battlefield. We, the Dongjiang Army at Lushun, rallying under his banner, never took a single step back either — never, ah, ah...\" Before he could finish, the soldier was already sobbing uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people in the tavern held their breath as they watched this emotionally overwrought soldier weeping bitterly. The earlier atmosphere of watching a spectacle and listening to a story had vanished completely. That Ninth Master sat with his mouth agape, stunned for a long while. The listeners all felt, to varying degrees, a burning sensation in their eyes, and several women were already in tears, pulling out handkerchiefs to cover their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi supported the soldier and escorted him back to his seat, then slowly walked back to his earlier position. By now, the space before him was packed with people — needless to say, the patrons from downstairs had all come up, and people from the street had also surged in to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi said, \"Everyone, next is the Battle of Nanguan, where the late General Zhang gave his life for the nation. I happened to be present at the time...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To rescue the brothers trapped at Nanguan, several thousand Ming troops set out from Jinzhou without hesitation. So that they could have a full meal, the women in the city slaughtered piglets that had not yet been raised to maturity and donated the rice and flour they had stored away in preparation for the New Year. Then came the rendezvous with the Nanguan garrison, and over ten thousand soldiers jubilantly prepared to set out on the road home. But the enemy had long been prepared and had no intention of letting them off so easily. The Ming army fell into a situation where defeat meant total annihilation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi recounted the entire story in vivid detail. The crowd gathered before him grew larger and larger, pressing almost right up to him. Every face wore an expression of rapt fascination, their emotions shifting with the story's development — first solemn and stirring, then joyful and relieved, and immediately after, tense and indignant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xuanfeng Battalion used flesh and blood to block the enemy's assault, buying time for the Firefighting Battalion. The Ming army finally broke through the enemy's center line before the enemy could breach their flank...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At that moment, the late General Zhang lay right before me, with over thirty arrows embedded in his body — yes, over thirty. When he fell, his body was no longer bleeding, because the late General Zhang would absolutely never fall until his very last drop of blood had drained away.\" As he spoke, Huang Shi bent slightly and gestured toward the floor, his expression both solemn and grave. In his most reverent tone, he said, \"The late General Zhang fulfilled his promise to Huang Gongbao: 'As long as I, Zhang Feimao, am here, the left flank will be as secure as Mount Tai.' The late General Zhang launched a counterattack he knew meant certain death. It was precisely because of his heroic sacrifice that our fourteen thousand officers and men were saved, that we won the Battle of Nanguan, and that the Jianzhou slaves were routed by us, throwing down their armor and fleeing in all directions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our Dongjiang Army — mighty and formidable.\" After finishing, Huang Shi gave a slight bow to the crowd, then strode back to his table. Jin Qiude and the Inner Guard soldiers looked at him with solemn expressions and, as if by unspoken agreement, began to applaud — just as they did on Changsheng Island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers had long been packed in so tightly that the upstairs was a dense sea of heads. Yet after Huang Shi finished speaking, this vast crowd remained utterly silent, not a soul making a sound. Apart from the solemn clapping of the few from Changsheng Island, only the occasional babble of a child could be heard. But even that tiny noise was immediately silenced by their parents. The entire audience seemed spellbound, collectively immersed in the memory of the story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mighty and formidable, mighty and formidable.\" Tears glistened faintly in the eyes of Ninth Master, the silk merchant. He held a teacup that had long been empty down to the bottom, mechanically tipping it against his lips, then held the cup motionless before his chest. \"Heroic, truly heroic...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tavern owner had forgotten his business and could not be bothered to attend to customers. Large teardrops rolled down his cheeks. At some point, he had leaned against the doorframe and was desperately gouging the lacquer off a dining table with his fingernails, carving deep white scratches across its surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly soul-stirring,\" a man who looked like a scholar finally roused himself from his intoxication. He repeatedly stroked the folding fan in his hand, and after a long while, let out another deep sigh. \"How I wish I could sprout wings and fly to Liaodong, to serve under Huang Gongbao's command — with high resolve, feasting on the flesh of barbarians when hungry, and laughing as we drink the blood of the Xiongnu when thirsty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low buzz gradually arose, and people once again began whispering to one another. After a moment, a young man mustered his courage and called out quietly, \"That Commander, sir — what you've told is rather different from what the storytellers say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi and the men from Changsheng Island all set down their wine cups and looked up together toward the speaker. The gazes of those around the young man also swiveled onto him in an instant. The sudden focus of stares from all directions made the young man jerk his head back sharply. Ducking his head, he muttered, \"This young fellow has heard that Huang Gongbao's martial prowess is unmatched, that he won every victory single-handedly, and that Mao Wenlong merely basked in his reflected glory. In that Battle of Lushun, General Zhang Pan merely rode on others' coattails to success, and as for that Zhang Feimao, General Zhang — I've never even heard of him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Huang Shi could speak, a teacup shot through the air like a flash of lightning and smashed heavily onto the unlucky fellow's hat, then fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ninth Master had been holding his empty teacup before his chest in contemplation, but the young man's words interrupted his meditation. The indignant Ninth Master hurled the teacup and then pointed his finger, cursing furiously, \"You unfilial wretch! Both General Zhangs gave their lives for the nation — what do you mean 'rode on others' coattails,' what do you mean 'never heard of him'? Beast! Get out of here this instant...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ninth Master, please hold a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Huang Shi stand up, Ninth Master ceased his tirade, and everyone looked over together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi swept his gaze around the crowd upstairs. Every one of them held their breath and fixed their eyes on Huang Shi's lips, afraid of missing a single syllable. Huang Shi cleared his throat. \"Our Grand Commander Mao of Dongjiang set out with two hundred soldiers, sailing three thousand li across the sea to Liaodong. Without spending a single grain or a single tael of silver from the imperial court, in just a few years he established the entire Dongjiang garrison, settled half a million refugees, and recovered over a thousand li of territory. It was Military Commander Huang who basked in Grand Commander Mao's reflected glory, not the other way around. The late General Zhang Pan personally led fifty soldiers ashore, retook Lushun, captured Jinzhou, and with just a corner of Liaonan, stood fearless against the great army of the Jianzhou slaves — he was even less a man who rode on others' coattails.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd listened with rapt attention, nodding repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the late General Zhang Feimao,\" Huang Shi gave a bitter smile, filled with unspeakable sorrow and regret, \"our Dongjiang soldiers are stranded alone a thousand li beyond the sea. Over these five years, those who have fallen in battle are beyond counting. Those who gave their lives for the nation yet remain unknown to the world — how could there be only one General Zhang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi did not care for drinking, so his subordinates took on round after round of toasts on his behalf. Jin Qiude, that fellow, had an enormous capacity for liquor. By the time the Inner Guard soldiers were all tipsy and comically drunk, the Chief of Staff of Changsheng Island could still effortlessly protect his superior officer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ninth Master once again shouted as he squeezed his way over. Ever since Huang Shi firmly refused his gift money, Ninth Master had launched round after round of toasting offensives, and he also desperately kept adding dishes to Huang Shi’s table. The tavern’s portly proprietor had already gone down to the kitchen, bellowing that he was going to pick up a cleaver again and let these military lords from Liaodong have a taste of his cooking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, so you really are here!” A soldier drenched in sweat fought his way to Huang Shi’s side — it turned out to be the personal guard he had left behind at the post station. Without waiting for Huang Shi to question him, the guard craned his neck and shouted outward: “My lord is here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a burst of gong strikes, a eunuch came running toward Huang Shi through the parting crowd, his face full of anxiety: “Commander Huang, you’ve given me quite a search.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the eunuch’s expression turned stern: “An oral decree from His Majesty — Huang Shi, receive the edict!”\u003C\u002Fp>",3476,"2026-06-04T07:54:54.057Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","8b6f362e544d34293385a4cd8876d785bc436ba0b071a2f6932a97efa2ca5f6f","stealing-ming-chapter-225","stealing-ming-chapter-223",323,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-ming-cover.jpg"]