Chapter 848: The Evil Star Arrives

Seeing Du Wan’s face full of disbelief, Zhang Jing sneered, “Last time it was me, and this time they went straight to ask my aunt. You don’t know—this time, the Lady of Wuding Marquis is asking to marry Sister Yue on behalf of her second son. If it were Sister Tian, my aunt would have refused right away, but since Sister Yue is an illegitimate daughter and the suitor is a legitimate son of a marquis, she hesitated. She didn’t agree on the spot, saying she was too young. After they left, my aunt, my mother, and my aunts discussed it for a long time.”
As Zhang Jing said, if it were just about marrying Zhang Tian, Du Wan would know that Lady Wang would never agree easily. But since it was Zhang Yue, the situation was different. Even if Lady Wang refused, Aunt Zhong might still be tempted. Although the Guo family wasn’t as prominent as before, it was still the son of a marquis. And even if there were no issues with the Guo family, that family was already fighting over a title—how could life be good there in the future?
“Besides, someone indirectly asked my mother how this marriage was arranged. Why, among all the good families in the capital, did they choose someone whose parents are dead, with no family background or wealth? My mother was sharp—she simply replied coldly that a good family background doesn’t guarantee good character, and having much wealth now doesn’t mean one will have it in the future. Times change; marrying off a daughter is for peace and stability. It’s better to marry into a family whose background is known than to pursue the vanity of high-ranking families. My mother spoke well. If Aunt Zhong could hear that, she surely wouldn’t agree to that marriage either. I think that Lady of Wuding Marquis is very fake. With such a mother-in-law, life must be extremely tedious!”
“Not all girls have parents like ours, nor do all girls have a brother like yours!”
Du Wan smiled and scratched Zhang Jing’s cheek with her finger, then nodded and said, “Did you come here just to tell me this? Go back to the small meeting hall quickly. Your mothers and wives are probably waiting to report to you. There are so many expenses before the New Year, everything is incredibly complicated—you need to check everything carefully.”
“Sister-in-law!”

Despite her act of coquetry and pleading in front of Du Wan for some time, Zhang Jing ultimately didn’t stay longer. Instead, she demanded that Du Wan accompany her out for fun in the days after the New Year. Only after getting her promise did she leave satisfied. Of course, she knew in her heart that if she talked to her sister-in-law and brother and they discovered that the second son of the Marquis of Wuding had improper conduct or other issues, the marriage wouldn’t go through. Zhang Yue was always her cousin—a shy girl. If she ended up with a cruel mother-in-law, wouldn’t she suffer greatly in the future?

After seeing Zhang Jing off, Du Wan continued working while thinking. Before long, Mother Cui arrived on time with an empty box, waiting at the back door. Once she received the bundle personally delivered by Zhang Bu, she immediately carried it back. Though she didn’t know what kind of account books needed to be delivered daily and why they were so important, she knew that tasks personally instructed by Zhang Yue and Du Wan must not be neglected. So even when encountering acquaintances on the way, she would only nod slightly without saying much, until finally delivering the items safely to the main house.

Once the Winter Solstice holiday ended, Zhang Yue returned to the yamen to handle affairs, resuming his busy schedule. He could barely go home for two or three days in a ten-day period. That day, he surprisingly returned home at the hour of Xu. As soon as he entered and changed from his official clothes to casual wear, he heard Du Wan softly saying beside him as she dressed him in a thick coat, “Go back early after seeing your parents later. I have something to tell you.”

“Coincidentally, I also have something to say to you.”

Though that was the case, Zhang Yue, who rarely came home, was delayed by his mother, Lady Sun, who gave him a long list of instructions. His father, Zhang Zhuo, was quiet, so even so, it was already half an hour later before he could finally return to the room. Sitting on the kang in the warm chamber of the main house, he saw Mother Cui take the maids away, and then Du Wan sat down across from him.

“The Duke of Cheng is on leave at home today. The Marquis of Wuding went to his residence, bringing two of his most beloved fine horses, a family heirloom sword, and four rare ancient books. No one knows what they discussed in the study. All that’s known is that the Marquis of Wuding left in a daze and accidentally stepped in empty air while mounting his horse, breaking his leg. He has already asked for leave at the Left Army Command. Do you know about this?”

The five provincial administrations and the Ministry of War were not directly under each other’s jurisdiction, but over the years, the Ministry of War had a better understanding of the activities of military officers across the country. The Ministry of War might not be aware of an official’s leave request, but when it came to a high-ranking military commander asking for leave, it was impossible for the Ministry of War to remain uninformed. After a brief pause, Zhang Yue asked, “I already know about it. I just haven’t had time to think carefully. Since you brought it up specifically, I assume you’ve discovered something.”

“Today, the Lady of Wuding Marquis also mentioned the marriage of her second son to my aunt, aiming to settle it with Miss Yue. Adding this to the previous matter, it’s clear that the Wuding Marquis must be feeling guilty. These days, the Lady of Wuding Marquis has been constantly seeking alliances—first trying her eldest son and then her second—seemingly hoping to connect with some family. But ultimately, the Guo family’s title is not secure, and Guo Xuan doesn’t yet have the boldness to take further actions.”
Seeing that Zhang Yue remained silent, Du Wan lowered her voice further: “Today, news brought by Zhang Bu mentioned that yesterday, the Wuding Marquis’s household sent their eldest son to a farm outside the city on the pretext of a sudden illness. The farm is not like the household, so it’s easier to gather information there. It is said that the eldest son was carried out of the carriage, likely after being beaten severely. I’ve long heard that he has a poor reputation; I’m afraid some blame will fall on him.”
“That’s interesting… By the way, I’ll be going to Tongzhou in person tomorrow. Listen to me…”
Since the capital was moved to Beiping, a canal running from north to south has become the lifeline of the entire Ming Dynasty. Although sea transport of grain has only just begun, most grain is still transported via the canal—up to four million dan of grain are shipped north each year. Since the Tonghui River built by the Yuan Dynasty was abandoned due to the wars at the end of the Yuan and the beginning of the Ming, grain ships arriving at Zhangjiawan Wharf in Tongzhou must then be transported by land to the capital. The journey by land, spanning dozens of miles, never stops, with caravans of carts moving continuously along the way.
However, it is now the freezing season for the canal, so the scenes of boats in abundance and masts like forests are no longer visible. Even the usually bustling city of Tongzhou is much quieter than usual. Thanks to that canal, the people in Tongzhou have often relied on generations-old occupations—some work as boat pullers on the canal, some as craftsmen repairing grain ships, some as laborers unloading goods at the docks, and some run inns, restaurants, or brokerage firms. Few actually farm the land.
In addition to the military granaries, Tongzhou has three more granaries, among which the Tongji Granary is dedicated to transporting grain. Thus, Tongzhou is also an important base for military forces. In total, there are five military units in and around the city: Tongzhou Guard, Tongzhou Left Guard, Tongzhou Right Guard, Dingbian Guard, and Shenwu Guard, totaling over 20,000 soldiers. Few of them are natives of the north; some are southerners who followed the capital’s relocation, and some came from other military units. Naturally, some like living here, while others do not.

At that moment, at the city gate in the north of Tongzhou, a hundredman from the Dingbian Guard was waiting there with a few soldiers. The wind was strong, and even though they were waiting inside the gate arch, the cold wind still seeped into their collars and sleeves. Despite stamping their feet with their hands tucked in their sleeves, they couldn’t withstand the biting cold. Eventually, the commander of the garrison came out and called them over, and only then did they go to a place with a brazier to warm up.

Seeing the hundredman sneeze several times as soon as he entered, the commander asked curiously, “In such cold weather, even the merchants from the south are staying at home to spend the winter comfortably. The officials in the capital aren’t even enjoying themselves in their offices—why have they come here?”

“It’s a task assigned by my superior. They said people from Jiaozhi have arrived, and the capital must send someone to take care of them. But since only I came and there are so few of us, I guess it’s not some important person—probably just a clerk or assistant in the Ministry of Rites. There’s no need for the Ministry of War to send someone along. With such cold weather, the grain shipment to the capital’s granary tomorrow is of utmost importance. The officials argued over this for quite some time, delaying it by a few days. Maybe the people from the capital will be pushing for it as well.”

“Anyway, any anger won’t fall on you… As for Minister Zhang being assassinated, I thought it would definitely lead to a major investigation, but it’s the Imperial Guards handling it, and nothing seems to be happening. Speaking of which, if they really start investigating impersonation, in our Tongzhou…”

“Such things can only be discussed privately. Impersonation… Tch! If it weren’t because this impersonation is likely an act of malice, would the higher-ups investigate it like this? Not to mention, in our Dingbian Guard, there are plenty of vacant positions. But have you heard? The capital has started establishing martial arts schools? This is good news for us who hold hereditary military positions. If our children excel, maybe we won’t have to stay here as minor officers. If they can gain recognition in the imperial guards, their future will be secured!”

The two commanders chatted among themselves, while the soldiers huddled around the brazier to warm up. Although it wasn’t as good as the smokeless red bamboo charcoal or silver bone charcoal used by the nobles, having firewood to keep warm in such cold weather was enough for them. They whispered vulgar jokes from brothels, laughing knowingly from time to time, completely ignoring their mission.

Just as everyone’s cold bodies warmed up and they started to feel sleepy, a sudden commotion came from outside: “Commander, they’re here—many people!”

Hearing that there were so many people, the commander of the garrison camp and the hundredman exchanged glances in confusion. The two hurriedly put on their outer coats and stood up, while the thousandman went over to the fire pit and kicked two of his drowsy subordinates, shouting at them sharply before leaving the camp. At the entrance, they saw a few people leading the way. But at that moment, they had no time to recognize their faces, as behind them were at least dozens of soldiers in red coats.

If they weren’t officials from the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Rites, why were they surrounded by so many people?

For a moment, not only was the hundredman shocked, but everyone in the garrison camp was also at a loss. Though they didn’t know who they were, such a grand entourage surely meant they were no ordinary people. The thousandman quickly stepped forward. When he was still a few steps away from the lead horse, his expression darkened as he finally recognized the person. Seeing that young and gentle face, almost instinctively, a name flashed through his mind.

Could it be that calamity-bringer? But what was he doing in Tongzhou? There was nothing important here that would warrant his attention, right?

Filled with fear, he didn’t dare delay. Ignoring the cold and hard bluestone ground at the gate, he knelt down immediately and said, “I am Qin He, a hundredman of the Dingbian Guard. I pay my respects to your Excellency.”

Seeing him kneel, the others behind him were confused, but anyone sensible quickly knelt down as well. The man on horseback paused briefly, then assumed the other had recognized him and said indifferently, “Get up. I’m passing by on official business; it has nothing to do with you.”

Hearing this, Qin He was stunned. The young man seemed to be under thirty and resembled the person in the rumors, but calling himself “this official” made no sense—after all, Zhang Yue had already reached the rank of vice minister of the Ministry of War. Where did this “this official” claim to come from? Moreover, he said he was here on official business and it had nothing to do with them. Could it really not be the person he was ordered to wait for?

Thinking this, Qin He mustered the courage to ask, “Your Excellency, I was ordered to wait here for someone from the capital. Are you really not…”

“I oversee the Northern Pacification Commission. It’s not your place to be involved in welcoming guests. Tell your men and the garrison camp to move aside and clear the path!”

Northern Pacification Commission!

The four words were not loud, but everyone in front of the city gate heard them clearly. When they saw the newcomer show his identification badge, the crowd no longer had any doubts, though many were secretly terrified. Qin He couldn’t even regret having mistaken the person; worse, he had mistaken another important figure as well. He quickly apologized repeatedly and then led his men and the city guards to move aside the barriers. It wasn’t until the group had passed through the gate and rushed off that Qin He finally swallowed hard. At that moment, the leader of the city guards came over.

“How come it’s the Jinyiwei?”

“You heard it yourself—they’re not the people I was supposed to meet. Those are officials from the Northern Pacification Commission; they might even become the future commanders.”

The two whispered to each other for a while. Before they could return to the warm room, a soldier suddenly shouted. They both turned and saw a dozen riders speeding across the still-frozen road. This time, Qin He didn’t dare be reckless. He stepped forward quickly, dismounted when they got close, and observed the group before going up to greet them.

Apart from seven or eight people who seemed to be attendants, there were two officials dressed similarly—in Qin He’s eyes, officials from the six ministries all looked alike, speaking in the same tone. Like the man from the Northern Pacification Commission, they were also young, but their tone was extremely polite. One of them briefly asked Qin He’s name and position before directly asking, “Has Commander Fang arrived yet?”

“Yes, Commander Fang and his entourage have all arrived. The soldiers and staff have been settled in. It was arranged personally by the chief official.”

“Good. Then please lead us to the camp.”