Chapter 327: Return to the Capital

That morning, around the hour of Chen, outside Desheng Gate north of the capital, a dust-covered cavalry troop was riding at a steady pace toward the capital, and travelers and merchants on the official road hurriedly moved aside to the roadside.

When they were still a few li from the city gate, the Mobile Corps Commander leading the front rank raised an arm, and the troop gradually slowed their horses until they had all shifted to a walking pace, coming to a halt half a quarter-hour later at a distance of one li outside the gate.

Though the Capital Camps soldiers guarding the city wall had long since received word that the arrivals were Shaanxi government troops, still, to guard against the unforeseen, they trained their cannons and crossbows on this small troop of horsemen below the wall at their superiors' command.

After reining in his mount, Mobile Corps Commander Chen Qian dismounted and went forward to liaise with the Ministry of War officials waiting at the city gate. Sun Chuanting, his scarlet official robe covered in dust, sat on his horse gazing up at the towering gate tower of Desheng Gate, and could not help but feel a surge of emotion.

The scene from the eighth year of Chongzhen, when he had been summoned to an imperial audience, floated back before his eyes—the image of His Majesty standing outside the hall to greet him in person was forever etched in his mind. This rare favor of a sovereign toward his minister had given him tremendous courage and confidence, inspiring him to work miracle after miracle.

Just as Sun Chuanting was sighing inwardly, a group of officials in robes of various colors emerged from the deep gloom of the gate tunnel and came forward to meet him.

The man at their head appeared to be around forty, wearing a black gauze cap and a scarlet official robe, his hands lightly resting on the jade belt at his waist. With a fair face, long beard, gentle smile, and impeccable bearing, he inspired an involuntary warmth at first sight—this man was none other than Yang Sichang, Minister of War.

Half a step behind him walked another official in a red robe, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, his face stern and unsmiling. This was Huang Zhongyu, who had been transferred from his post as Prefect of Suzhou to serve in the capital by Zhu Youjian to make room for Fang Wen. The rest, low- and mid-ranking officials in blue-green robes, followed behind the two men.

Seeing this, Sun Chuanting swiftly dismounted, straightened his black gauze cap with both hands, and Sun Zhian, who had jumped down from his horse, hurriedly brushed the dust from his master's clothes. Sun Chuanting strode forward in large steps to meet the arrivals.

Though Sun Chuanting did not recognize a single one of the men before him, from the golden pheasant rank badge on the leading man's chest, he could tell the newcomer was a high official of the second rank. And judging from his bearing and appearance, this man must surely be Yang Sichang, Minister of War, who enjoyed an excellent reputation at court.

"Are you Governor Sun in person? Sichang has received the imperial decree to welcome the Governor back to the capital. The journey from Qin lands to here spans several thousand li—the Governor has labored hard on state affairs. Sichang offers his respects!"

Stopping a few paces apart, Yang Sichang was the first to speak, cupping his hands in salute with a smile.

Though the two men held the same rank, Sun Chuanting's reputation was formidable—over two years he had rendered immense service to the Great Ming and had been personally conferred the title of Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion by the Emperor. In every respect he outshone Yang Sichang considerably. But Yang Sichang, born of a great aristocratic family, had his own pride. To avoid the awkwardness of addressing himself as a subordinate to Sun Chuanting, who was considerably younger, he took the initiative to use the form of addressing himself by name in his salute.

"Your servant Sun Chuanting thanks His Majesty for his great kindness! I am deeply honored that you, Brother Wenruo, have come in person to welcome me—I hardly deserve such courtesy! I have long admired your reputation for statesmanship, Brother Wenruo, yet regrettably never had the chance to meet you. Today my wish is finally fulfilled, and my heart overflows with joy! In the days ahead at court, I hope Brother Wenruo will not hesitate to offer me your guidance!"

Sun Chuanting likewise returned the salute with a smile, cupping his hands.

Though his nature was straightforward and stubborn, he was no greenhorn without official experience. Facing the modest and amiable Minister of War, he did not put on airs of arrogance or superiority over his achievements, but instead lowered his posture and built rapport on the basis of their difference in age.

"I had heard rumors that Sun Baigu was stern and cold, obstinate and proud—but seeing him now, there is no trace of such signs. If any other court official had rendered such great service, he would long since have been walking with his nose in the air. It seems rumors cannot be fully trusted! I wonder what he will be like to work with in the future."

While these thoughts raced through Yang Sichang's mind, his face maintained a warm smile throughout: "Baigu's praise of Sichang is more than I deserve! His Majesty's vision is keen as a torch—that he could recognize a talent of Baigu's caliber from among the multitude is what enabled the perilous situation to be completely reversed. Baigu's ability is something Sichang cannot match! Come, come, let me make an introduction—this is Huang Hanzhi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who has also received the imperial decree to welcome Baigu's triumphant return!"

"Your subordinate Huang Zhongyu has received the imperial decree to respectfully welcome Governor Sun back to the capital. The Governor has had a tiring journey!"

Huang Zhongyu came forward to offer his salute with an expressionless face.

He already knew that Fang Wen, the man replacing him, had been recommended by Sun Chuanting. While feeling deeply aggrieved, he also harbored a bitter hatred for both men. But under the present circumstances, there was nothing he could do against them—he could only wait and see if an opportunity for revenge might present itself later.

Sun Chuanting gave a slight cupped-hand salute in return without much pleasantry toward Huang Zhongyu. Then the group of mid-ranking officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites came forward one by one to pay their respects to this famous figure, and Sun Chuanting received them with composure.

After the greetings were done, Yang Sichang took Sun Chuanting by the arm and walked forward chatting and laughing, with Huang Zhongyu following several paces behind, and the other officials trailing after them.

Sun Chuanting's personal guard battalion, under the guidance of Ministry of War officials, took a detour to the Yongwei Camp to bivouac and await orders. Only Sun Zhian and Sun Fugui followed far behind the group, leading three war horses.

"When His Majesty learned that Baigu had arrived at the capital's outskirts, he originally intended to order the Crown Prince and several Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat to come welcome you together. But I advised against it and he abandoned the idea. Does Baigu bear any resentment toward me for this?"

Yang Sichang said to Sun Chuanting with a smile.

When Sun Chuanting was still forty li from the capital, he had sent men ahead to report to the capital, informing the relevant authorities that he and his escort were approaching. His purpose in doing so was chiefly to avoid disturbing public order in the capital—after all, several hundred horsemen suddenly appearing beneath the capital's walls could easily cause misunderstandings and disrupt the normal order of life in the city.

After receiving the report, Yang Sichang went to the palace to inform Zhu Youjian and ask whom he should dispatch to welcome Sun Chuanting outside the city. Thinking of the great service Sun Chuanting had rendered over the past two years, Zhu Youjian's blood ran hot, and he prepared to stage a grand welcome ceremony to show his esteem for this renowned minister.

After pondering for a moment, he planned to have Zhu Cilang go out to welcome him together with Wen Tiren, Yang Sichang, and other senior ministers. But Yang Sichang dissuaded him with a single sentence: "Does Your Majesty wish to place Sun Baigu upon a fire?"

In truth, Yang Sichang did not know Sun Chuanting personally, and ordinarily need not have concerned himself with whether Sun Chuanting became a target of universal attack. But the expansion of the Grand Secretariat was already a settled matter—barring unforeseen circumstances, he himself would be added to its ranks. If, afterward, Sun Chuanting's reception by the Crown Prince were seized upon by others to make a major issue, the Emperor would certainly regret his current decision. In that case, he might well blame Yang Sichang for not having offered counsel at the time, and from then on regard him as a petty man—and his official career would essentially be finished.

Sun Chuanting was startled by these words, then stopped in his tracks and solemnly bowed to Yang Sichang: "Brother Wenruo's action truly embodies the manner of the great ministers of antiquity. Chuanting thanks you here! His Majesty's generous treatment of Sun is something I can never repay!"

He naturally understood that Zhu Youjian's intention was to display his favor toward him before all, but the method he had chosen was hardly appropriate. Had Yang Sichang not dissuaded him, then if any misstep ever occurred in the future, all of this would be dredged up and used against him.

Yang Sichang smiled and returned the salute with cupped hands: "Why must Baigu be so formal? These are all trifling matters. Serving as ministers in the same court, we should cover each other's shortcomings, help His Majesty find omissions and correct errors, and put the affairs of state above all else—only then can we live up to the grace of a sage sovereign's promotion!"

Sun Chuanting nodded with a smile in understanding, and in his heart he naturally owed Yang Sichang a debt of gratitude.

As they talked, the party entered the city through Desheng Gate. Sun Chuanting's household had long since received word and sent the old steward Sun Chengwen with a brand-new sedan chair to wait inside the gate. After thanking Yang Sichang for his welcome and his invitation to a banquet, Sun Chuanting entrusted his memorial to Yang Sichang, asking him to present it to His Majesty when he returned to the palace to report, then took his leave of the welcoming party with cupped hands, bent into the sedan chair, and the two bearers carried it straight toward his residence in the western part of the city.