Chapter 133: The Imperial Army

"Why are people from the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Chiliarchy here?" Mou Wenshou was somewhat surprised. He had long heard that the Emperor had re-established the Three Depots and One Guard in the capital—could the Embroidered Uniform Guard have already infiltrated Shandong?

"Who's to say otherwise? Could it be... is this the Emperor's intention?"

Mou Wenju also found it suspicious. Although Shandong did have a permanently stationed Embroidered Uniform Guard Chiliarchy, the Guard's authority was no longer what it once was, and it had even been involved in no small number of scandalous affairs that made people shake their heads.

In reality, the Embroidered Uniform Guard stationed locally differed little from ordinary government runners. Apart from the Centurions and Chiliarchs at the top, most people did not wear embroidered spring sabers or flying-fish robes.

In many people's eyes, those were the standard accoutrements of the Son of Heaven's trusted men at the Northern and Southern Provost Courts in the capital—more a symbol of noble status. How could ordinary runners and messengers ever have such good fortune?

When the Embroidered Uniform Guard went to arrest criminals, they had always acted on behalf of the Son of Heaven. But in this troubled age, there were even places where members of the Guard had been beaten to death in the streets by the powerful and influential.

Such incidents had a terrible impact, but the court was powerless to deal with them, and in the end they were almost always dropped. So any military commander with even a few private soldiers no longer took them seriously.

Hearing his clansman's words, Mou Wenshou, who had originally planned not to meet the visitor, suddenly changed his mind. The Emperor now enjoyed a reputation for benevolence and sageliness, and valued military men highly—he himself ought to show at least basic respect to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After thinking it over, Mou Wenshou straightened his ordinary robes and said:

"Show him in."

Once Chiliarch Li entered the hall and took his seat, Mou Wenju rose and stood behind Mou Wenshou, saying with a smile: "Chiliarch Li has come all this way to Yanzhou Prefecture—surely not just to chat idly with us two brothers?"

Li Xi also smiled and said:

"The reason this official has come is in fact bearing the court's intentions—to bring good news to Regional Commander Mou."

"Oh?" Mou Wenshou's interest was piqued at these words. He ordered servants to serve tea, then said: "May I ask what good news Chiliarch Li brings?"

"Great news, of course!" Li Xi seemed different from his usual self, draining his tea in one gulp before saying: "A few days ago, this official received word from the court that His Majesty intends to sort out the chaos in Shandong and punish Liu Zeqing."

Li Xi's next words were whispered close to Mou Wenshou's ear. Mou Wenshou had been utterly indifferent at first, but upon hearing this, his expression changed drastically. He waved his hand to dismiss all the servants and household retainers, then let out a light laugh and retorted:

"In this Shandong, who doesn't know that Liu's faction is powerful? Chiliarch Li shouldn't be making a fool of this humble officer."

"Last year, Supervising Secretary Han Ruyu of the Military Bureau passed through Shandong. He had originally planned to stay in my Yanzhou for some time, but merely because he expressed his intention to impeach that thief Liu, he was killed by Liu's men in Jinan."

"With such a major incident, the court didn't even issue a reprimand—it didn't utter a single word. Now Liu's faction is stronger than ever, commanding tens of thousands of men. Why would His Majesty suddenly take it into his head to punish Liu Zeqing?"

"Times have changed!" Li Xi seemed somewhat anxious in his tone. "At the great victory of military pay and provisions, the imperial army routed over a hundred thousand of the Dashun army, and the newly appointed Xuanzhen Regional Commander Gao Jie slew Abatai, the Prince of Raoyu of the Jianzhou barbarians. These are unprecedented victories."

Hearing these words, Mou Wenshou was somewhat stirred. Indeed, from the perspective of an ordinary military man like himself, in every aspect of this seventeenth year of Chongzhen, the Great Ming truly seemed to be moving toward revival.

As he spoke, Li Xi idly toyed with his teacup and continued:

"How can one tolerate another sleeping soundly beside one's own bed? Under such circumstances, how could His Majesty tolerate a Liu Zeqing jumping around in Shandong? He didn't act before because the time wasn't right. Now that the time has come, naturally he must cut the weeds and dig up the roots."

"How will you cut the weeds and dig up the roots—with you Embroidered Uniform Guard men who don't even dare provoke the great households?" Mou Wenju's words were merciless and blunt. Hearing this, Li Xi immediately felt his dignity wounded.

"Heh." After a long silence, Li Xi rose and brushed off his backside, saying: "This official originally received a dispatch from the Provost Court in the capital, saying that after His Majesty eliminates Liu Zeqing, he intends to appoint General Mou as the next Regional Commander of Shandong."

At this point, Li Xi let out a cold laugh. "It seems His Majesty has misjudged you. You Mou brothers are not the loyal servants to the state that rumor has it—you're scared shitless just hearing Liu Zeqing's name."

Having said this, Li Xi flicked his sleeves and made to leave.

"You're full of shit!" Mou Wenju shouted at once. "Do you think this Yanzhou is a place you can come and go as you please?"

As soon as the commotion arose inside, the sound of armor and weapons clashing came from outside. Li Xi thought to himself that things had gone wrong, and sure enough, he saw a crowd of iron-armored household retainers come clattering in, all wearing hostile expressions.

"What's this?" Cold sweat seeped from Li Xi's forehead. Forcing himself to stay calm, he turned back and asked coldly: "Could it be that you, Mou Wenshou, also wish to emulate that Liu Zeqing and become a rebel against your sovereign?"

"Withdraw!" Hearing these words, Mou Wenshou, who had been sitting silently in the seat of honor, suddenly bellowed.

Mou Wenju was smug, thinking his elder clansman was about to stand up for him and order the death of that arrogant Embroidered Uniform Guard Chiliarch. But to his surprise, Mou Wenshou turned around and slapped him across the face.

"This..."

The household retainers hesitated at first, unsure whether their general was sincere or putting on an act. But when they saw Mou Wenshou turn and deliver an unhesitating slap to Mou Wenju's face, they immediately scattered and withdrew in fear.

In truth, no one—including Mou Wenju and Li Xi—had expected such a dramatic turn of events. That Mou Wenshou, whose bond with his brother was deep, would actually lay hands on his own younger brother was truly unexpected.

Clenching his fist, Mou Wenshou first offered an apology to Li Xi, then turned back and said angrily:

"What an ignorant brat who knows nothing of loyalty to one's sovereign! Did your old mother raise you with painstaking effort just so you could oppose the current Son of Heaven?"

Mou Wenju was no Liu Zeqing. Of course he knew his elder brother's self-professed loyal and righteous heart. At once he was filled with regret, covering his reddened face and not daring to utter a word.

Seeing this, Li Xi could no longer sit still. He hurriedly played the peacemaker, urging: "Enough, enough. Young General Mou was merely impulsive. You've already struck him—there's no need for the general to be overly harsh."

"If I don't properly teach this brat a lesson now, in the future he'll dare do even worse!" Mou Wenshou snorted coldly, then turned and said to Li Xi with resolute conviction, cupping his fists:

"Since this is His Majesty's will, as a subject I must obey. This humble officer will muster his troops on an appointed day and march north to fight Liu Zeqing to the death!"

"Even if I die, I shall enter the shrine of the loyal and die without regret!"

Seeing his elder brother like this, Mou Wenju, to express his sincerity, first apologized to Li Xi, then hastily cupped his fists and shouted: "What my elder brother says is right! This humble officer is also willing to march north and fight those roving bandits to the bitter end!"

"Hahaha!" Seeing this scene, Li Xi thought to himself that the great matter was accomplished and he had rendered a major service. He hurriedly added:

"The two generals need not worry so much. This time, the Duke of Ying, bearing His Majesty's decree, personally leads the Capital Camps' soldiers south, and has already prepared the back pay owed to the various imperial troops in the Eastern Depot Prefecture. When the imperial army gathers, that thief Liu and his entire family will surely be wiped out!"

Hearing this, Mou Wenshou and Mou Wenju exchanged a glance and said in unison with excitement:

"Excellent!"