Chapter 733: Ruthless Intent to Kill

In the Panwanling Mountains of Guangxi, at the strategic crossroads of three rivers, the Yao uprisings in Guangxi never ceased from the Hongwu era to the Jianwen and Yongle periods, with those in Datengxia being particularly difficult to quell. This time, Marquis Gu Xingzu led 50,000 troops into Guangxi to first suppress the unrest in Datengxia. Later, Zhao Xian, the local magistrate of Chongshan County, rose in rebellion. After these two areas were finally pacified, Tan Gongwang of Si’en County led an army in rebellion, seizing over thirty large and small Fulong strongholds in the surrounding area. Yet, the Ming army, with its superior equipment and larger numbers, managed to wipe out the remaining rebels in Si’en after just over a month, capturing more than a thousand rebels.

Si’en County was located at the heart of Siyuan Prefecture, with Huanjiang to its west. At the end of the Yongle era, the administrative seat was moved from Huanjiangzhou to Qingtan Village. Though called a county, it had no actual city—surrounded by waterways and mountains, it was a place easy to defend but hard to attack.

However, even the most defensible places could not withstand the Ming army’s advanced firearms. After this great victory, Gu Xingzu allowed his troops a break, letting them take turns hunting and enjoying themselves in the mountains. As for what those soldiers, who hadn’t been with women for a long time, might do when their lusts grew strong or when their greed surged, he chose to turn a blind eye.

He wasn’t leading monks into battle—after all, they fought and bled just for such pleasures.

“Marquis, in total, more than sixty gold items were seized from the Yao villages, worth over 500 taels of gold and over 1,000 taels of silver. In addition, there are over a thousand pieces of various crude utensils, swords, and weapons, along with over 800 dan of grain…”

“Enough. There’s no need to continue. These are just poor wretches—I knew there wouldn’t be much loot!” This wasn’t Gu Xingzu’s first time leading troops to suppress rebellions, so after hearing just half of the report, he waved his hand impatiently. “Collect a whole number of taels of gold. Distribute the rest, along with the silver and valuable utensils, among the officers above the rank of thousandman. As for the remaining grain and such, give it to the common soldiers. Order them to indulge freely for these three days. After that, they must behave properly! Those who fight under me won’t be neglected. Go!”

After the clerk bowed and left in haste, he washed his hands in a basin, then had his personal guards remove his armor and helmet. Taking off his boots, he lay back comfortably in a rattan chair before impatiently waving them away. Just as he was about to close his eyes and rest, he heard a report from outside: “Marquis, we’ve returned safely.”

“Come in!” He suddenly opened his eyes and saw Gu Pingan rushing in and kneeling on one knee to pay his respects. He asked directly, “These days I’ve been busy waging wars, leaving you in Wu Jingzhou to handle those matters. I haven’t inquired about it at all. Since you’ve come, I suppose the Xu family has brought the money they owed before?”
Noticing Gu Xingzu’s piercing gaze fixed on him, Gu Pingan grew uneasy. After a long while, he bent his other leg as well and knelt down, bowing several times. “My lord, please forgive me. I’m incompetent. The Xu family reported that Zhang Yuanjie borrowed over twenty thousand dan of rice from various military depots, driving down the grain prices in all the prefectures and counties of Guangzhou and Zhaoqing. Now that grain ships from Huguang have arrived one after another, the price of rice has stabilized at ninety coins per dou. The Xu family suffered huge losses due to buying grain at high prices earlier, amounting to tens of thousands of guan. Unable to raise the money quickly, they tried to manipulate the foreign merchants at the docks. But a few days ago, the Maritime Administration and the Provincial Government suddenly joined forces to seal off the docks and drive away those people. Also, they had secretly obtained twenty men and women, planning to sell them overseas, but now that the scheme was exposed, even the remaining hundred people dare not be sent out anymore…”
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a foot coming straight at him. Unable to dodge in time, he was knocked over by that sudden kick. After struggling to get up, he hurriedly lay face down on the ground, not daring to look up. He heard heavy breathing above him, followed by angry shouts.
“Useless! Truly useless! Can’t even handle such a trivial matter. What a waste of my years of support! Such a major matter as the military depots transferring grain went completely unnoticed by him. What kind of local boss is this? How dare Zhang Yuanjie even think about taking control of the grain stored in the military depots? Isn’t he afraid of the imperial censor causing him trouble? Isn’t he afraid of the inspection agency exposing his faults? And since when does this provincial governor get to interfere with the Maritime Administration? Zhang Qian is one thing—after all, he’s just in cahoots with the Zhang family—but what about that military commander Li Long? Since when did he become associated with the Zhang family?”

Although he knew it wasn’t a question directed at him, Gu Ping’an still felt terrified. Gu Cheng, who had been posthumously honored as the Duke of Xia, had nine sons. Gu Xingzu’s father was executed by Emperor Jianwen on charges of rebellion. Growing up alongside his grandfather Gu Cheng, he learned his bravery in battle but did not inherit his gentleness; once enraged, he became truly terrifying. It was unclear how much time passed before the roaring noises around him gradually subsided, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief before he replied in a low voice.

“Reporting to my lord, Zhang Yuanjie is indeed audacious. However, according to my reports, both the military and judicial authorities now follow his lead. Li Long, the commander-in-chief, reaped at least two to three thousand guan from this operation. Additionally, he was credited for sending troops to capture Qin Huaijin at the port, and it is said that Eunuch Zhang also brought rewards this time. As for Yu Liang, the inspector general, he won the favor of the Chief Censor of the Censorate by accusing many officials alongside the imperial censor from Guangdong. It is said he will be transferred to the Censorate upon the end of his term…”

“Good, very good. It seems Zhang not only knows how to kill but also how to win people’s hearts!”

Gu Xingzu snorted coldly, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes before he slowly walked back to his seat. After pondering for a while, he ordered Gu Ping’an to stand up and suddenly asked, “You mentioned earlier that when Qin Huaijin managed to escape, assassins tried to kill the officials in the Guangzhou government office, and they were all Li people?”

“Yes. Why do you ask, my lord?”

“Did these Li people confess to having connections with the Yao people in Guangxi?”

Upon receiving Gu Ping’an’s affirmative answer, Gu Xingzu frowned deeply and fell into thought. After a long while, he calmly ordered, “Keep an eye on the situation in Guangzhou for now. Put aside dealing with the Xu family for the time being. They are greedy and incompetent. If it weren’t for the fact that most of the Gu family’s wealth is managed by them, I wouldn’t bother with their affairs. I’ve already captured Qin Gongwang; now take two reliable men to interrogate him. Remember, any torture is allowed—even you can offer him a chance to live. As long as he confesses to colluding with the Li people in Qiongzhou Prefecture, attempting to coordinate a rebellion together, I’ll have what I need to make my move. Do you understand?”

Gu Pingan initially didn’t understand the purpose of his master’s instructions. It wasn’t until he heard the end that he realized what was at stake, and a chill ran down his spine. For now, he only hoped his master wouldn’t take it out on him; everything else didn’t matter. After nodding in agreement, he quietly slipped out of the room. Once outside, he couldn’t help but wipe his forehead, only to find it already soaked, with his back and head covered in sweat, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

Inside the room, Gu Xingzu paced back and forth a few times before finally letting out a cold laugh. As for beheading—that little brat was still far from it! Although Zhang Yue couldn’t come to Guangxi, he would make him see what it meant to have corpses everywhere!

At the beginning of September, a triumphant report from Marquis Zhenyuan Gu Xingzu was sent. It stated that Sien County had been recaptured, and all rebels led by Qin Gongwang had been captured. To quell the barbarian threats and stabilize the people, over 1,050 rebels, including Qin Gongwang, were executed.

In the British Duke’s residence in Qingshui Hutong, the capital city, autumn had begun to bring cooler temperatures. Thus, the servants replaced the green curtains on the windows with sturdy cotton paper early on, and took advantage of the good weather to take out many thick woolen clothes to dry in the sun. In addition to managing household affairs, Lady Wang often went to the study quietly to check on the children studying there.

Since Zhang Yue had mentioned that the children in his family were around the same age and could benefit from studying together, Zhang Fu agreed to this idea. He prepared a spacious study where the children could listen to lectures together, but he also gave Liang Lin a silver ruler and established strict rules. Now, besides the cousins Zhang Jing and Zhang Tian, there were also Meng Ang and the younger Tian Ci, as well as Zhang Bi, who occasionally came to listen and ask questions about their studies.

Liang Lin was in his early twenties. Though young, he came from a scholarly family and had a solid foundation, with a thorough knowledge of classics and history. Although he valued proper boundaries between men and women, the two female students were still under ten years old, so he didn’t feel uncomfortable. Initially, he had worried that the children from wealthy families might be mischievous, but aside from the older Meng Ang being a bit naughty and Zhang Jing being playful, the rest were very honest, with even Tian Ci sitting properly. Over time, he grew fond of these sensible little ones and would teach them writing and drawing in his free time.

When class ended that day, since the next day was the Double Ninth Festival holiday, Liang Jin assigned another homework task beyond the regular assignments—everyone was to go back and jointly create a painting as long as it related to the Double Ninth Festival. Hearing this, the kids looked at each other in confusion, and once they left the study courtyard, they started chatting excitedly. Zhang Jing pouted and said, “The teacher has taught us to paint flowers and plants before, but now he wants us to paint something about the Double Ninth Festival. Can we really draw a picture of climbing heights on this festival? We finally get a day off, yet he gives us such a difficult task.”

Zhang Tian gently pulled at Zhang Jing’s sleeve and whispered, “Sis Jing, it’s not good to speak ill of the teacher behind his back.”

“Okay, okay, I know you respect the teacher!” Zhang Jing smiled and took Zhang Tian’s hand, then turned to Meng Ang with a grin, “Brother Ang, you’re the most clever. You and Fifth Brother are the oldest here, so let’s leave the task of coming up with an idea to you!”

By the time Meng Ang realized what was happening, Zhang Jing had already pulled Zhang Tian and Tian Ci away. Annoyed, he stamped his foot and said, “Auntie, you’re really too sneaky!” Seeing Zhang Bi standing there in thought, he couldn’t help but complain, “Uncle Fifth, as an elder brother, you should keep an eye on Auntie. She always lets her bully us!”

Although Zhang Bi was the oldest, he was after all Zhang Xin’s illegitimate son. He had initially studied at the clan school and now only attended as a casual listener. He didn’t dare argue with his cousins, so when his nephew Meng Ang complained about him, he was speechless. But Meng Ang was shrewd; seeing his reaction, he pretended to be an adult and patted his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jing led Zhang Tian and Tian Ci along the white stone path into the corridor. Seeing several maids chasing after them out of breath, she said to the two, “Brother Ang and Fifth Brother—one is quick-witted and talkative, the other is quiet and reserved. The two of them make a perfect pair; we won’t have to worry! Let’s go around behind the windows and enter the courtyard through the side door to startle Auntie Wang!”

Zhang Tian was honest, and Tian Ci was still young; they always followed Zhang Jing’s lead. With someone holding them tightly on either side, they couldn’t say anything against it, so they had no choice but to follow her. When the three of them, out of breath, circled around to the back window of Lady Wang’s courtyard, they heard voices coming from inside.

“Sir, the Empress Dowager mentioned before that the emperor is still young and asked you to assist him wholeheartedly. Now that you’ve just been promoted, do you really need to resign from your position as Commander of the Central Army so quickly? Isn’t that too hasty?”

“Being promoted to the rank of Grand Master of the Imperial Household and Left Pillar Lord, attending court on regular days—this is undoubtedly the treatment reserved for honored senior officials. Meanwhile, serving the emperor day and night and handling state affairs is almost equivalent to being a cabinet minister. With such hints, if I still fail to show understanding, it would truly be pointless. Holding military power for too long is after all a matter of caution; even if not for my currently prominent family, I must consider Heaven’s will.”
The three children standing under the window, eavesdropping, exchanged glances, especially the youngest, Tianci, who became even more confused upon hearing his own name. In his haste, he kicked a stone below. Though it was only a faint crack, the voices inside stopped immediately, and soon the wooden window was pushed open. Zhang Fu, who was propping up the window, saw three dumbfounded children below and his originally gloomy expression instantly turned into one of both annoyance and amusement.
“What are you doing? Come in quickly!”
Zhang Jing quietly stuck out her tongue, quickly pulled her two companions along, and hurried around the east wall of the courtyard to enter through the main gate. Once inside the main house, seeing Lady Wang glaring at her angrily, she hurriedly bowed and then awkwardly explained, “I just wanted to bring them in through the side gate to sneak in and startle Auntie, but I happened to overhear from the back window. I really didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Tianci kicked the stone after hearing his name mentioned by the uncle in the hall…”
“Since you heard it, fine. But never walk behind windows again. A young lady should behave like one!”
Seeing Zhang Jing nod obediently, Lady Wang sighed, thinking that Zhang Zhuo and Lady Sun were both cautious outside, so how could they have such a daughter? Seeing Zhang Fu already sitting down smiling, she called the children over, asked a few questions about their studies, and then earnestly instructed Tianci, “Study hard under Master Liang. You will bear great responsibilities in the future—do you understand?”
Seeing the three children nod vigorously, Zhang Fu closed his eyes in thought. Zhang Zhuo had gone to Guangdong clearly to help his son, sacrificing his own career prospects. He himself wanted to do the same, but his son was still too young. Now that state affairs required attention, he still had to take care of those matters. Marquis Gu Xingzu of Zhenyuan had suppressed rebellions in Guangxi, killing over a thousand Yao people and building a memorial temple—his memorial was written with passion, but the motive behind such violence was suspicious. Someone needed to remind Zhang Yue about it.