Chapter 803: Uncontrollable Situation

Since he had taken advantage of the yamen’s lunch break to leave, Zhang Yue didn’t stay at the Yang family for long before bidding farewell to Wan Shijie and departing together. After passing the Middle Yu River Bridge, he deliberately walked by that small restaurant. On one side, there were an endless stream of clerks and scribes, while on the other, several laborers were busy packing boxes to deliver meals to the yamen. He couldn’t help but glance at Wan Shijie with a smile.
“You really came up with that!”
“Others only focus on huge sums of money, but I’m willing to earn this small income patiently. Though the business isn’t big, we still need to curry favor with both the Military Commission of the Five Cities and Shuntian Prefecture. Without official connections, it’s impossible. And among those with official connections, how many would care about such small amounts? The nobles own land and shops, while civil officials are too proud—this gives me and Yang Ji an advantage. By the way, asking him to do that is quite bold of you!”
Bold? Ever since I became an official, I’ve never been timid! The officials look down on these unremarkable little figures, but these clerks are willing to do anything!
Zhang Yue smiled bitterly inwardly before casually brushing it off. After crossing the Middle Yu River Bridge on horseback and arriving at the Imperial Medical Academy in Dongjiang Rice Alley, he saw a group of people hurrying over from the other end. Seeing that both of them were dressed like ordinary commoners, they didn’t examine them closely and continued riding at full speed. As Zhang Yue watched them turn into the alley, passing by, he recognized the leading eunuch as one from the Qianqing Palace. He stopped his horse to take a look. Seeing them bypass the Imperial Medical Academy and head straight to the Imperial Observatory behind it, he exchanged a glance with Wan Shijie.
“Seems there haven’t been any significant celestial events recently, have there?”
“That’s right. Earthquakes in Nanjing have also decreased.”
After pondering for a moment, the two continued on their way. As they walked, an idea popped into Zhang Yue’s mind—could it be to select an auspicious day for some ritual? With this thought, he remembered Zhu Zhanji’s fury that day when the censors shouted out the word “legitimate heir.” It was easy to imagine that, accustomed to his grandfather’s dominance, this emperor, though appearing gentle on the surface, would never tolerate defiance from his officials. This likely meant he was preparing to appoint an heir.

The Ministry of War’s office was located near East Chang’an Street, while the Five Armies Command was adjacent to West Chang’an Street, making it extremely convenient to handle affairs—whether by horse or on foot, it only took the time it took to drink tea. Every day, many civil officials from the Ministry of Personnel waited to take up their posts, while even more military officials from the Ministry of War waited for vacancies to fill. Thus, a narrow alley was always busy with people coming and going, and the courtyard at the entrance was never empty of people. As soon as Zhang Yue entered, he saw a dozen or so military officials dressed in official robes adorned with tiger, leopard, and bear motifs.

The Yongle era, when noble military generals were most trusted and favored, was long gone. In the past, military officials of the fourth or fifth rank could still flaunt their status due to their ancestors’ merits. But now, with the Ministry of War’s authority growing, even military officials of the third rank could only wait obediently in the courtyard unless summoned officially, exchanging only a few words in hushed tones. Zhang Yue glanced around and was about to head back to his room when someone called out, “Lord Zhang.” He looked up but didn’t recognize the speaker. However, not far away stood Wang Yu and his brother-in-law Meng Jun.

Although they were relatives by marriage, in front of all those military officials, Zhang Yue could only nod and smile at them before walking inside. The officials in charge of the four departments of the Ministry of War worked at the second gate, while the senior officials handled matters inside the third gate. As soon as he entered the third gate, a clerk came forward, bowed, and said, “Lord Zhang, the minister is discussing military affairs in Liaodong with Vice Minister Feng. He said those military officials outside can wait for your decision—see those you need to see, and tell the others to go back after finishing their business at the Military Selection Department.”

“I understand,” replied Zhang Yue.

Nodding, he entered the room, where someone immediately brought over a large stack of documents. Rather than patiently flipping through them one by one, Zhang Yue simply listened as the clerk read out the names of each official position. When he heard Wang Yu’s position, he was shocked. By the time he left the capital, Wang Yu had already risen to the rank of Deputy Commander. Now, not only had he been recalled to the capital, but he had also become an Associate Commander of the Jinyiwei. Such rapid promotion was beyond even some descendants of nobles—this was undoubtedly a reward for his achievements in the 18th year of the Yongle era.

With too many military officers waiting outside, Zhang Yue only met those of rank four or higher. Among them, Meng Jun had the highest rank and was the first to enter. As it was an official matter at the yamen, a scribe stood by, so the uncle and nephew could not talk much. After completing the matter, Meng Jun took his leave. Going through them one by one, Zhang Yue didn’t even have time for casual conversation; by the time everything was done, half an hour had already passed. Before he could send someone to inquire about the progress with Minister Zhang Ben and Vice Minister Feng, someone hurriedly reported that Mu Bin, the heir of the Duke of Qian, wished to see him.

After arriving in the capital, Mu Bin had arranged to study at the Imperial Academy but had not yet officially enrolled. He had spent these days visiting various noble families and relatives, even staying overnight at his brother-in-law, Zhu Yong, the Duke of Cheng. On this day, he came to the Ministry of War to inquire about military affairs in Luchuan. While this was unusual for other nobles, it was perfectly normal for the Mu family, who were tasked with guarding Yunnan generation after generation. Thus, the scribe standing by quietly stepped back.

Learning that Luchuan had already gathered over 30,000 troops from the Yunnan military command and the general’s headquarters, Mu Bin frowned. He then suggested using the troops that Liu Sheng had previously sent to Jiaozhi. Zhang Yue had thought of this as well, but he shook his head, pointing out that those troops were already exhausted from the previous campaign and not suitable for another expedition to Luchuan. Thus, over matters such as reinforcements and military pay, the two, who had been friendly earlier, engaged in a heated debate. Finally, Mu Bin let out a long sigh.

“It seems the matter of Luchuan falls on Lord Zhang’s shoulders. I’ll have to trouble you often from now on.”

After saying this loudly, he glanced sideways subtly before lowering his voice significantly. “Does Yuan Jie know? The emperor has decided to appoint an heir before the Winter Solstice. When I saw the emperor yesterday, he even inquired about my son. I recall your family having a newly born son—you’d better prepare early. Once the emperor makes up his mind, no one can stop him. Remember, even Dai Lunlin and Chang Maomao, who once advised the emperor to read more instead of hunt, have already been imprisoned by the Jinyiwei. With their examples, once the emperor decides, no one can dissuade him anymore!”

Zhang Yue knew that Mu Bin wasn’t just showing off his well-informed status in front of him. Compared to the Mu family’s networks in the capital, the Zhang family’s spies were even more agile. Still, he asked half-jokingly, “Brother Wen Hui, your information is really fast.”

“It comes from the inner court, so of course it’s fast.”

Mu Bin made no secret of his sources and then added with a slight smile, “Those eunuchs rely solely on the emperor, and since the emperor wants to suppress those self-important guys, he has to discipline them as well. This is the best opportunity—wouldn’t it be a great shame to miss it? The fact that Yuan Jie was able to enter the Ministry of War shows that the emperor still trusts us nobles. Given that, we can’t just hand over the court completely; otherwise, the hard work and sacrifices of our ancestors will be in vain! Ever since a few years ago, our noble families have been on the decline, and now there are quite a few who want to restore our equal status. If we let them gain control without any countermeasures, what chance will we have?”

Since he came under the pretext of military affairs in Luchuan, Mu Bin hinted further before leaving in a hurry. As soon as he left, Zhang Yue’s face turned icy.

During the Hongwu era, many noble families emerged after the founding of the dynasty, with the Xu family even producing two grand ministers. Yet compared to them, they had declined, with only the Mu family still thriving. Mu Bin had repeatedly made his intentions clear, and now he outright stated them. If this wasn’t just the Mu family’s wish but the collective desire of all nobles, then it would become a struggle among multiple parties.

Who would have thought that this was just a stone stirring up a storm?

Thinking of this, Zhang Yue went outside the second gate and called for the Zhang family’s attendants waiting there, ordering them to inform the Marquis of Baoding that he would pay a visit after work in the evening. Then he returned to his room in deep thought. Despite the urgency of the situation, he kept his anxiety in check, retrieved the case files related to Luchuan and the latest maps sent by the Bureau of Geography, and spent some time carefully sketching them with a charcoal pencil. After that, he took these documents to see Minister Zhang Ben to discuss the personnel matters of several provincial military commands, and skillfully managed to wait until it was time to leave work.

Meng Ying, the Marquis of Baoding who was stationed in Xuanfu, had resigned before the New Year and returned home. He was not working at the Five Armies Command but was idle at home due to “foot ailments,” never leaving except for the New Year’s court session. He had long heard about Zhang Yue’s return and had hoped to meet him when someone visited Zhang Qing. Unexpectedly, just three days after Zhang Yue returned to the capital, he was already appointed Vice Minister of War without even setting foot outside. Since it would be awkward to send someone to invite him, Meng Ying grew increasingly frustrated. It wasn’t until that afternoon when he received a message sent by Zhang Yue’s men that he finally calmed down.

However, Meng Jun also returned from the yamen, saying that he had met Zhang Yue at the Ministry of War that day. Meng Ying couldn’t care less about anything else; he questioned Zhang Yue thoroughly, and by the end, his expression was extremely serious, wishing he had gone in place of his son earlier.
“Enough. You’re not young anymore, yet you’re not reliable in handling matters. Go back and see your wife; have her prepare well. Also, tell the guards to be more vigilant—once they arrive, bring them here to see me right away.”
Although he disapproved in his heart, he couldn’t defy his father’s words. So, even though his mother, Lady Lu, looked puzzled, Meng Jun could only agree and left the main house. When he returned to his own courtyard and saw his wife, Zhang Qing, come to help him take off his outer robe, he sent the maids away and then mentioned that Zhang Yue would be coming over that night.
“Someone has already been sent back. That’s why I’m telling Baoxia and Yingchun—if he still doesn’t show up, I’ll think my third brother has forgotten about me and you, my brother-in-law!” After joking around a bit, seeing that Meng Jun didn’t seem happy, Zhang Qing raised an eyebrow. “Look at you, why do you seem upset? Weren’t you talking about your third brother just a few days ago?”
“That was then; this is now. Seeing how enthusiastic Father is, I think he’s been overly friendly… I was transferred from the Commander of the Divine Might Right Guard to serve as a deputy general in the capital army, and Father was very pleased for a while. These past few days, I’ve been busy with official duties and haven’t paid much attention. Who has been visiting the house? Has Father met them in person?”
Zhang Qing didn’t understand why Meng Jun suddenly asked this. She personally poured tea and brought over a small sky-blue Ru kiln teacup, then frowned and said, “Those male guests didn’t reply to me. I vaguely remember the eldest son of the Duke of Qian coming once; he stayed for an entire afternoon before leaving. Father even had him stay for dinner. The rest were mostly relatives by marriage—nothing important.”
“The eldest son of the Duke of Qian… is that Mu Bin, who came to the capital with my third brother?”
After getting his wife’s confirmation, Meng Jun’s brows furrowed immediately. After thinking for a while, he finally came back to his senses. Noticing Zhang Qing looking at him anxiously, he quickly stood up, pushed her back into the chair, and comforted her with a smile, “It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry too much. As you know, Father has been ordered to rest at home since returning. He couldn’t take up a position at the Five Armies Command, so he must be thinking a lot. So, when he heard that our third brother became a vice minister in the Ministry of War, his mind naturally wandered.”
“My third brother has always been very kind to our family. If he can help, there’s no need to worry.”

Seeing that Zhang Qing didn’t understand, Meng Jun also found it awkward to explain matters related to the household to her. Initially, Meng Xian and Meng San’s treasonous crimes did not affect the Baoding Marquis’s household, as Emperor Yongle remembered his father’s past merits. During Emperor Hongxi’s reign, his father Meng Ying was not punished but instead placed in charge of Xuanfu to pacify the noble families. Now that a new emperor had ascended, if his father continued to act recklessly, he would surely suffer misfortune.

The emperor might be kind, but kindness depended on whom it was shown to. Back then, when the Han King rebelled, how many people died in Shandong, and how many were exiled to the border? By that standard, his two uncles’ crimes should have doomed the Meng family forever, yet he was still able to return to the capital—this was already a great fortune!

As Meng Jun had expected, as soon as Zhang Yue arrived in the evening, Meng Ying put on a friendly smile. Though he didn’t mention recovering from illness, his words subtly hinted at whether the Military Selection Bureau was now under Zhang Yue’s control. Realizing the situation was off, Meng Jun ignored the hierarchical differences between father and son, coughed lightly, and said with a smile, “Father, it’s rare for Brother Yue to have time to come. You should set aside some time for him to meet his elder sister. Now that you’re free, dealing with all those court affairs must be exhausting, right?”

Zhang Yue had come today intending to see what life was like for Meng Ying while idle at home. After hearing these words, he had a clear understanding. Seeing Meng Ying’s expression darken at Meng Jun’s words, he pondered for a moment before asking directly, “To be honest with Uncle Meng, I came today because the eldest son of the Duke of Qian went to the Ministry of War and spoke to me at length. It’s a matter of great importance. If you trust me, could you tell me if Master Mu has ever mentioned to you the idea of joining forces with the nobles to plot something major?”

Such matters were usually discussed indirectly, never outright, so Meng Ying was greatly surprised. After a long while, he mumbled, “Mu Wenhui did come. He did mention such a thing, but he said there were messages from the imperial court…”

“Uncle Meng, don’t forget that messages from the imperial court don’t necessarily reflect the emperor’s intentions. What if they’re just guesses?”

Seeing Meng Ying freeze, Zhang Yue knew he had come at the right time. If the already precarious Meng family got involved in such a matter, it would indeed be a huge problem. But if discovered early, there might still be a way to handle it. Moreover, Meng Ying still had some connections among the nobles. Mu Bin’s actions were extremely wrong, but his motives weren’t entirely wrong.

If the nobles continued to decline like this, the civil officials would have no way to restrain them!