Chapter 862: Truly Unwilling to Accept This

At that moment, Wang Youshan's face had also turned deathly pale. The other side was killing a chicken to warn the monkeys — after all those words about amnesty and recruitment, this was both an explanation and a warning. That talk of "failing to appreciate kindness, not knowing when to advance or retreat, stirring up major trouble" was clearly not meant for this corpse alone.

"Brother Wang, your confiscated family property and silver will be returned in a month's time. You may take inventory then, and if anything is amiss, do not hesitate to come and inquire — we will locate and deliver it as quickly as possible. There are less than two months before the Grand Canal freezes over. The amnesty and recruitment must be settled swiftly, so we won't have you rest in the capital. Leave the Imperial Prison today and return to Xuzhou immediately. Do your best to persuade your son's side — don't let matters reach an irreparable state. Serve the court well in the future, that is the proper course."

Wang Youshan nodded in agreement. Eunuch Kuang, through the bars of the cell, bowed and said, "Perhaps in the future, Brother Wang will return to the capital to serve as an official. We can talk in detail then. Do not delay on the road. The court's envoy will travel the same route as you — he will go directly to Fengyang. Those handling the amnesty negotiations are Eunuch Cui, the Grand Canal Governor-General, and Grand Coordinator Guo of Fengyang."

After months of stifling confinement in this Imperial Prison, just when a man was about to go mad, he was suddenly released. Standing in the sunlight, Wang Youshan felt everything was utterly unreal, hazy as if in a dream.

The matter was indeed urgent. No sooner had Wang Youshan stepped out of the prison than Embroidered Uniform Guard officers found him. Their manner was quite courteous — they said they were to invite Lord Wang to set out immediately, that he could eat and wash up in Tongzhou, and if he had any requests he could raise them, they would do their best to accommodate.

Wang Youshan's request was very simple: his own attendants must be released. Uncle He and all the servants who had served him had been implicated this time. According to Eastern Depot case-handling rules, if the master had not confessed, the servants and underlings were all considered coerced accomplices — they would not be released until the case was closed.

The officers who came didn't waste a word. They immediately went to make arrangements, and before long, word was brought back. But only word was brought back — not a single person returned with it.

"Of Lord Wang's household servants, only Uncle He remains. The others all died of illness in the prison." The officer answered with a wooden face.

"What about Uncle He?"

"Uncle He also contracted the epidemic disease. He has been left crippled and will need to recuperate for some time before he can move. He will be sent back to Xuzhou then."

Hearing this news, Wang Youshan's body swayed. He knew perfectly well that the household servants had not fallen ill — they had most likely been beaten to death under torture. And Uncle He, relying on his robust constitution, was probably barely clinging to life. Since they had falsely accused him, naturally they wanted to extract evidence from the servants. They dared not lay harsh hands on Wang Youshan, who held official rank — the servants, of course, they didn't care about.

"At most, they delivered letters — what could they possibly know!" Wang Youshan blurted out. The officer he was dealing with replied expressionlessly, "Lord Wang, the journey is urgent."

Wang Youshan shook his head, then said through gritted teeth, "Let's go. We leave now!"

Inside the duty room of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the innermost core eunuchs of the inner court bustled without pause. They were the true central hub of the Great Ming. Originally, the heart of this duty room was the Seal-holding Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, seated in the chief position. But now everyone knew that the current foremost figure of the Directorate of Ceremonial — or rather, the foremost figure of the entire inner court — stayed in a side chamber. Even Wang Tigan, the Seal-holding Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, had to go there on his own initiative to seek instructions on major matters.

That side chamber was the duty room of Eunuch Wei Zhongxian, the Superintendent Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial. His Venerable Self was illiterate, and therefore unwilling to stay in a place filled with documents, brushes, and ink.

"A letter has arrived from Eunuch Cui in Fengyang. Fengyang Grand Coordinator Guo Shangyou initially wanted to be evasive, but later, coveting merit, he actually sent troops out. The result was a major defeat in a surprise attack by the bandit mob. Fortunately, the bandits only cut off the canal and did nothing further."

"The report from Shandong has already come in. It was indeed a major defeat. It's said those Xuzhou rebels even held back — otherwise, Lu Qin, the Baoding Regional Commander, would have suffered an even worse defeat."

"The Baoding troops and the Shandong troops had no friction or constraints between them; their coordination was fairly good. Although there were some delays at Jining due to customary fees, it did not affect the overall situation."

"Shandong Regional Commander Yang's report was detailed. It was also taken to the Directorate of the Imperial Horses for those knowledgeable in military affairs to review. Baoding Regional Commander Lu's conduct of this campaign had no oversights — it was by the book. The rebel mob also fought in an open and aboveboard manner. Several military officers in the Directorate of the Imperial Horses said that the rebels' strict and mountain-like discipline is likely an exaggeration, but both the Shandong and Baoding garrisons are adamant and unwavering, not sounding like they fabricated excuses to shirk responsibility."

"The Xuzhou rebels have already withdrawn to Xuzhou. They did not kill prisoners, nor did they take heads — they even helped tidy things up."

"Xuzhou and the other areas are now reporting no news, and no one is saying the rebels have risen in revolt or treason."

"Fengyang Grand Coordinator Guo Shangyou's memorial has already arrived, along with a letter for you, Your Grace. Both say that amnesty and recruitment should be pursued, and there is no need to mobilize troops on a large scale."

Wei Zhongxian stood before a table where several men dressed as craftsmen were arranging wooden pieces. These wooden components were all exquisitely precise — unmistakably a model of a palace hall. Wei Zhongxian stared intently at the wooden pieces, while beside him several eunuchs in blue and purple robes continuously read aloud memorials and reports.

"You've made these wooden pieces far too detailed. Where's the room for His Majesty to work on them himself? What's the fun in that? You need to make them rougher, or just sketch ink outlines on the timber and let His Majesty do it himself. Do you understand what I mean?" Wei Zhongxian spoke with considerable patience and amiability.

The men dressed as craftsmen agreed in utter trepidation. Wei Zhongxian waved his hand, gesturing for them to leave, and even added a word of encouragement: "Do this well. Your glory, splendor, and wealth all rest upon this."

Once the craftsmen had left, Wei Zhongxian turned around with his hands behind his back. He was tall and imposing, and because he had not entered the palace as a child, Wei Zhongxian's eunuch characteristics were not pronounced. He looked at the several eunuchs bowing deferentially, his brow tightly furrowed, without a trace of the earlier amiability and patience.

The eunuchs bent even lower at the waist. Wei Zhongxian asked coldly, "Is this all the news reported from various places? I've understood the gist of what you've read — the government troops can't defeat the rebels, but the rebels still understand proper limits. Is that it?"

"Yes. As per Your Grace's prior instructions, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard dispatched men everywhere to keep watch. They have also confirmed that these reports are true and accurate. No one dares be negligent."

"If anyone is negligent, beat them to death with a whip. A few beaten to death and the rest will fall in line. If they won't obey orders, it's only because they don't fear you." Wei Zhongxian remarked disdainfully.

Another eunuch flipped through the papers in his hands and spoke: "Your Grace, the Directorate of the Imperial Horses and the Ministry of War have both replied. To mobilize a large army now to encircle and suppress Xuzhou, we can only draw border troops from Shanxi and Shaanxi. There are also troops in Northern Zhili that can be moved, but the grain, fodder, and military pay consumed would certainly be enormous. Supplies for the Liaodong front would become strained. Therefore, they also believe that amnesty and recruitment is the best course."

"With so much money and grain in the Liaodong military funds, it's still not enough for them? Have their customary fees and kickbacks gone up again?" Wei Zhongxian suddenly raised his voice.

Everyone lowered their heads in unison. No one dared to speak. Wei Zhongxian sat down in a huff, his voice turning slightly shrill: "Do any of you understand what's on my mind? I am unwilling to accept this! The majestic imperial court — even when it does something wrong, it is still His Majesty's court, and it must have its dignity. How can it be that we're forced into a corner by Xuzhou rebels, and have to use the way out they've given us — to go offer amnesty and recruitment? Isn't that just suing for peace?"

Still, no one responded. Just at that moment, Eunuch Kuang from the Ceremonial Office arrived. He stood outside the door and said respectfully, "Old Ancestor, your child has returned from his assignment. The express rider delivering the letter to Cui Wensheng in Fengyang has left the capital together with Wang Youshan."

Wei Zhongxian waved his hand impatiently. The several eunuchs in the room, as if granted a great reprieve, hurriedly gathered up the memorials and left. Eunuch Kuang walked in briskly.

"How did it go?"

"That Wang Youshan was likely frightened out of his wits. He didn't pay much mind to the deaths and injuries of his servants — he just hurried out of the capital back to Xuzhou."

"What kind of man is he?"

"An ordinary presented scholar and bookish type, just somewhat older. Having been restored to office twice, he's gained a bit more steadiness and experience, but otherwise he's quite unremarkable. He doesn't seem like a man with hidden strategies capable of great deeds, nor can one discern any ruthlessness or deep scheming in him. Old Ancestor, but a man like this might well raise a fine son. His son, Wang Zhaojing — both the capital and Nanjing have sent people to investigate. He is indeed a man of outstanding talent."

"One who cannot be used by the court and yet stirs up such great calamity is no outstanding talent — he's merely a scourge. The more one reads, the greater the calamity one stirs up!" Wei Zhongxian spoke without any courtesy. The young Kuang nodded with a smile.

Only then did Wei Zhongxian relax slightly. He let out a breath, sat down in a chair, and asked again, "That good-for-nothing Liu Yunpeng was always handling the Liaodong garrison. You've only recently taken over. What do you think?"

"Old Ancestor, that front is likely going to be trouble. Though Military Commissioner Xiong Tingbi has a great temper, he is a man of ability — otherwise he wouldn't have been reappointed this time. But the new Grand Coordinator, Wang Huazhen, is also of a strong and unyielding disposition. Moreover, Commissioner Xiong wants to defend, while Grand Coordinator Wang wants to attack — they've been arguing constantly. That in itself is trouble. To make matters worse, Minister of War Zhang Heming and many court officials are all siding with Wang Huazhen and suppressing Xiong Tingbi. When the chain of command is broken and everyone acts on their own, disaster is certain to follow."

Wei Zhongxian's expression darkened again. He lightly tapped the table and said, "So, in other words, the various troops still cannot be redeployed — we must keep them in reserve."

Eunuch Kuang nodded silently. Wei Zhongxian was speechless for a long moment. In the end, he only said in a muffled voice, "Truly unwilling to accept this."

The news that Fengyang Grand Coordinator Guo Shangyou had submitted a memorial requesting amnesty for the Xuzhou rebels was not kept secret. The wealthy merchants of Qingjiangpu, Yangzhou, and other places soon learned of it. The news that the Baoding troops sent to pacify the Xuzhou rebels had suffered a crushing defeat in Shandong likewise spread swiftly throughout the northern bank regions of Southern Zhili.

This left the wealthy merchants somewhat at a loss, unsure of what to do. A mere Xuzhou — had it really slapped the court's face like this? Would the court send various armies to encircle and suppress them, launching an all-out war?

Yet Southern Zhili was a gathering place of culture and talent. There were always great figures and scholar-officials in prominent families who concerned themselves with the realm's affairs — or retired capital officials living at home — as well as advisors and strategists well-versed in the political situation. These men all reached one conclusion: there would be no more fighting, only amnesty.

Thanks to "Yuan Heng Li Zhen" and "123*", two old friends, for their tips. Thank you all for your subscriptions and monthly tickets. No monthly tickets at the start of the month?