Chapter 904: Words from an Elderly Relative

After an hour of discussion, Zhu Zhanji, who had originally been determined, hesitated again due to Yang Shiqi’s words. Even Du Zhen and Zhang Yue, father-in-law and son-in-law, ultimately agreed with Yang Shiqi’s view, suggesting to wait until all the petitions from the princes arrived before making a decision. As for the others, they temporarily ceased their efforts. After leaving Wenhua Hall, everyone naturally split into several groups.

Zhang Yue and Du Zhen exchanged greetings before going after Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu. Although Zhang Fu had many spies in the capital and was aware of some things, he was too busy with official duties, and Zhang Fu himself preferred to keep a low profile. It had been a long time since Zhang Fu last visited Duke Yingguo’s residence after the ancestral ceremony, and Du Wan was pregnant, so only her mother, Sun Shi, often went there—usually through back doors. As a result, Zhang Fu had not paid much attention to the main entrance.

Inside Wumen was the imperial palace, so the uncle and nephew could not talk much, only discussing briefly today’s topic. Once they left Wumen and the guiding eunuch stepped back, Zhang Yue, holding a lantern in one hand and supporting Zhang Fu with the other, brought up the topic Yang Shiqi had mentioned earlier. Zhang Fu remained silent for a while before speaking.

“Although I am now ordered to focus on military affairs, since these are major matters, it’s not convenient for me to speak out. Moreover, since this topic was raised by you, the Minister of War, I’ve remained silent. As a military commander, I naturally hope for a strong army and skilled officers. But as a hereditary noble, I know that many of those who hold military positions inherited their roles from fathers and grandfathers who fought alongside me. Yet their sons and nephews may not be able to continue in those positions and might even face poverty. It makes me feel uneasy.”

Zhang Yue had always seen Zhang Fu as a serious and capable man and rarely saw him sigh so melancholically. His heart grew heavy. Recalling Zhu Yong’s similar remarks at Shijing Garden earlier, he felt compelled to say something.

“The officers are just one aspect; in fact, I also had the clerks from the Ministry of War participate in discussing matters related to military households. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the imperial army and auxiliary forces were established, but as a result, soldiers almost became slaves. Today, military households have also fallen to the status of outcasts. The Northern Song Dynasty perished at the hands of the Jurchens, and the Southern Song Dynasty fell to the Mongols. Although there were significant errors in governance, the deterioration of the military system was also a contributing factor. Hereditary military positions weren’t completely abolished—weren’t martial arts schools established? During the reign of Emperor Taizu, those who failed the examinations for hereditary military positions were severely punished. Though these punishments were indeed harsh, it must be said that it was through such strict rules that strong troops could be raised in various military units.”

“I’ve led troops for so many years—how could I not know these things?” Zhang Fu shook his head again before finally breaking free from Zhang Yue’s grip. “Don’t be fooled by the fact that I now travel in a sedan chair. Everyone knows I suffer from old ailments like rheumatism and cold legs. But once on horseback, I can draw a bow, wield a spear, and use a sword! Brother Yue, soldiers have a bad habit: although you’ve fought against Arutai’s troops in Xinghe, served as an advisor on military affairs in Jiaozhi, and defended against pirates in the south, there’s one thing you surely don’t know—soldiers who manage to secure hereditary status rarely want their sons to go to war again!”

Zhang Yue was stunned.

In his era, military families were common. Sometimes, even if a son didn’t want to be a soldier, his father would force him to attend military academy or join the army using a belt. But Zhang Fu said that nowadays, those who held hereditary military positions mostly didn’t want their sons to go to war! Yet upon reflection, it made sense. Being a soldier was one thing, but going to war was another. In those days, being a soldier was honorable, but today’s military households were like outcasts. For the children of military households to lift their family’s status, they had to rise to the position of Minister of War according to the rules, and ordinary civilians almost never wanted to marry into military families.

Moreover, across the vast lands of the Ming Dynasty, most inland military units led a peaceful life. They didn’t need to engage in bloody battles nor possess highly skilled martial arts—only the ability to manage the military households under them for farming was required. As for actual warfare… well, one had to leave their fate to fate. As for training, aside from the key border forts, there was no training anywhere else.

“I understand your reminder, Uncle.”

“Good to know.” Zhang Fu didn’t turn to look at Zhang Yue’s expression—not because it was dark and he couldn’t see clearly, but because, from his understanding of Zhang Yue, he naturally knew what his most valued nephew would be thinking. As they walked on, he added softly, “It seems the Ministry of War doesn’t have a minister yet. Most people think it’s because the emperor wants to leave this position to you. But you should know that with two distinguished members of the Zhang family, that’s impossible. I’ve let you temporarily take charge of the Ministry of War as vice minister because you’re familiar with its four departments and can manage them. We can also help you handle some matters, making the reforms easier. But once this is done, you’ll likely need to move to another position—either the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Personnel—as a reward for your efforts.”

Not even Du Zhen had ever said these things to Zhang Yue. Du Zhen’s style was to give just a hint when dealing with matters, leaving the rest for Zhang Yue to figure out on his own. In his words, although Zhang Yue was still a student, he was now a powerful figure and couldn’t follow him step by step in everything. So, Zhang Yue had to think things through carefully on his own. Even though he had considered this possibility, he hadn’t dared to confront it directly. Now that Zhang Fu had brought it up so clearly, he couldn’t help rubbing his stiff eyes.

“Uncle, rest assured. I’ll work step by step and won’t make drastic changes at once.”

“That’s good.” Zhang Fu smiled in relief, looked up at the sky, then continued walking slowly. “Military affairs are different from those related to the princely families. Those can be dealt with decisively, and your father-in-law is an upright man who will see things through to the end. Given his character, he wouldn’t mind retiring to Nanjing even after completing this task, because he believes this matter is more important than anything else. Yu Qian, who is in charge of surveying land in the Jiangnan region, is the same—though I’ve never met him, his memorials show he’s an honest man too. So they hardly consider consequences when acting. But you’re different. You’ve always been cautious, and these matters are deeply entrenched with wide-ranging implications, so we can’t rush. That’s why I’ve taken care of all the complaints you brought to me before, including those from the Duke of Chengguo.”

At that moment, Zhang Yue felt extremely emotional. Even though he knew Zhang Fu had always supported him wholeheartedly, nothing compared to what he felt now. It wasn’t until they left the Right Gate of Chang’an that he said softly, “I’ll be even more careful in handling matters from now on. I won’t disappoint the name of the Zhang family, nor will I let down Uncle’s hopes.”

“That’s enough!” Zhang Fu smiled and nodded at Zhang Yue, then pointed to the sedan chair waiting over there. “There’s no need to see me off; my home is just a few steps away, and the sedan chair is already there. Your mother-in-law was startled today—go talk to your father-in-law and tell him to be careful too. Things are easy to break at first…” He knew his father-in-law wouldn’t listen to that, but sometimes one still has to persuade him.

Zhang Yue agreed repeatedly. After seeing Zhang Fu off in the sedan chair, he turned back and saw Du Zhen and Yang Pu walking side by side, seemingly still discussing something, with no sign of Yang Shiqi. After thinking carefully, he remembered that it was Yang Shiqi’s shift at the cabinet that night. He stepped forward quickly. When Yang Pu saw it was him, he nodded and said something to Du Zhen before getting into his own carriage. Zhang Yue, on the other hand, helped Du Zhen walk over to the mule cart belonging to the Du family.

As soon as they got in and the curtain was drawn, Du Zhen asked directly, “How is your mother-in-law?”

“Xiao Wu said it’s just a superficial injury—nothing serious,” Zhang Yue replied. Seeing Du Zhen pat his forehead and then rub his eyes, he understood how hard Du Zhen must have worked all day. He quickly added, “Three officials from Wanping County, Shuntian Prefecture, and the Southern City Military Command went to her house. Xiao Wu was upset at being ignored, and my mother-in-law scolded her for being insensitive. But she’s in pretty good spirits now.”

“It’s good that she’s fine, good that she’s fine!” Du Zhen repeated those words softly before sighing in relief. “I already feel terrible about her. If my actions really caused her trouble, then… Yuanjie, I’ve never liked having too many people at home, but since this has happened, if you can arrange it, borrow a few people from your family for me.”

“I’ve already taken care of that. Please rest assured, father-in-law.”

Yet, seeing Du Zhen with his arms crossed, eyes closed, gripping his arms tightly, Zhang Yue knew full well that this mentor and father-in-law wasn’t calm at all—instead, he was in a state of great turmoil. The more so, the more Zhang Yue felt this was the real Du Zhen. One who could ignore even his own family for the sake of national affairs might be a sage, but to his family, he was truly pitiable. At this moment, Zhang Yue felt as if he had grown closer to Du Zhen.

“I married your mother-in-law when we were young; our marriage was arranged by our parents. I was not good at speaking and focused solely on studying. Everything at home relied on her. Whether it was studying, farming, or later when I became an official after passing the imperial exams, she prepared everything for me thoroughly. Even when I was away for over a decade, she never once blamed me… Over the years, though I held high positions, due to my temperament, our family was not prosperous. The number of servants decreased rather than increased, and she never enjoyed any comforts. She never showed fear or worry in front of me. Now…”

Du Zhen rarely talked at length. As the mule cart jolted along, he kept murmuring nonstop, his gaze occasionally drifting. Zhang Yue knew Du Zhen didn’t want his meager comfort, so he simply listened silently the whole time, saying nothing. It wasn’t until the cart finally stopped that he jumped off first and then reached out to help Du Zhen.

Seeing the cart stop, Yue Shan, who was at the door, naturally stepped forward with a lantern. But upon seeing his master’s strange expression, he didn’t dare say much. Zhang Yue helped Du Zhen all the way to the main house door. Hearing laughter coming from inside, he glanced at his father-in-law before lifting the curtain and guiding Du Zhen in.

There was no one in the front half of the main hall; the voices came from behind the partition. Seeing Du Zhen shake off his hand and hurry back there, Zhang Yue hesitated for a moment before slowing down. Sure enough, soon after, Xiao Wu’s cheerful shouts came from behind. Realizing that Du Wan was pregnant and couldn’t stay outside overnight, she must have already gone back. Zhang Yue stood outside for a while before seeing Xiao Wu rush out from the back room. As soon as she saw him, she gave him a signal, and the two went to the east room to talk.

“Brother-in-law, you’d better go back first. Dad is busy showing concern for Mom right now, and Mom doesn’t have time to see you,” Xiao Wu said with a sly smile. Seeing Zhang Yue nod smilingly, she knew he must have understood. Then she said envyingly, “I used to think Dad was always stern, but I never expected him to be so caring… Hey, when will my old Wan come back? Are you really planning to leave him in that remote place?”

“I’m coming back now. He’s already on the boat over there; it should take at most a month or two to reach Tianjin. By then you’ll be able to see him.” Zhang Yue suddenly remembered the letter Wan Shi Jie had written to him, in which she complained about how she’d become haggard because of him. He had no idea what was written in their private messages, nor whether that guy really looked so worn out over there, so he thought about leaving right away. He quickly stood up and said, “Since you say so, I won’t go in and disturb them. Just give my regards to your parents later.”

Seeing Zhang Yue leave so quickly, Xiao Wu was stunned. By the time she rushed after him, he had already disappeared outside the courtyard gate, leaving her even angrier. Looking back at the main house, although there wasn’t much noise inside, she decided not to ruin the mood after thinking it over. So she tilted her head and headed straight back to her own room to check on the child. But as she walked, her mind kept lingering on that smooth-talking guy.

“When he returns, I’ll take care of him just like my father did!”

Yet, that “care” sounded somewhat bitter.

By nightfall, the capital had gradually settled into silence. Apart from the regular sounds of the night watch, there were only the footsteps and low conversations of the patrol officers from the Five City Military Command, along with occasional music from the mansions of the nobles who still hadn’t gone to bed. From time to time, small cats or dogs would appear on the roads, emitting eerie sounds that were particularly unsettling.

In front of the martial arts school in the East District, which had been built but not yet put into use, a dark figure sneaked up to the door. After observing the place for a while, it slipped into a nearby alley. It knocked on the door of a large house, and as soon as the door opened, it rushed in. Inside, several people were already waiting. As he took off his cloak, someone immediately spoke up.

“How is it?”

“From what I see, it should be completed in three to five days. By then, both the Ministry of War and the Five Army Command will surely send people over.” He paused, then asked hesitantly, “Do we really have to make a fuss?”

There was silence in the room. Even those who had been the most determined now exchanged glances. After a long while, a sigh came from the corner.

“Let’s wait a bit longer. Unless it’s absolutely necessary…”