Chapter 32
Chapter 32
[The Real and Fake Heiresses – 2]
The noblewoman cried out in pain after Zhu Yuanzhang kicked her over, clutching her chest. When she heard his cold command, she wailed and begged him again and again.
Her cries grated on Zhu Yuanzhang’s nerves. He erupted in fury. “This is a command tent, a place where military affairs are decided. How dare a woman throw a tantrum here and unsettle the army? Mr. Xu is one of my most trusted ministers. I have known him for years, and even I would never treat him discourteously. What gives a witless woman like you the audacity to insult him so?!”
“Guards!” he barked. “Drag her out at once and give her thirty strokes of the military cane, to uphold discipline!”
The noblewoman went deathly pale, her face stricken with horror. “Father, I am the wife of the Heir Apparent and the mother of your eldest grandson. How can I be beaten and humiliated before everyone?”
“What else do you expect?” Zhu Yuanzhang scoffed. “After making a scene in my command tent, do you expect me to find a temple and put you on an altar?”
Seeing that he remained unmoved, the noblewoman grew frightened. She wept, “Please forgive me, Father. Your daughter-in-law knows she was wrong. If you punish me like this, how can I ever show my face in public again?” As she spoke, her pleading gaze swept around the tent.
The officers and strategists had spent the past few days seething over her constant interference. Only her status had kept them silent. Now that Zhu Yuanzhang had ordered her beaten, every one of them secretly cheered. Not a single person spoke in her defense.
Only the old servant at her side found the courage to step forward. Kowtowing, the servant pleaded, “King of Wu, please preserve some dignity for the consort of the Heir Apparent, if only for the Heir Apparent and your eldest grandson…”
Zhu Yuanzhang ignored the plea. He merely cast a cold glance at the guards outside the tent. “Does my word mean nothing now?”
The guards dared delay no longer. They acknowledged the command, approached the noblewoman with an apology, then seized her by both arms and dragged her outside for punishment.
Accustomed to a life of privilege, the noblewoman had never suffered anything like this. The moment they hauled her from the command tent, she began shrieking and begging for mercy.
The old servant saw Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression darken further and did not dare test his limits again. Taking a handkerchief from one sleeve, the servant stuffed it into the noblewoman’s mouth, then wiped away tears and followed her outside.
At Zhu Yuanzhang’s command, the general assault began. War drums boomed and battle cries rose with them.
He settled heavily into the commander’s chair as the background of this world and the original host’s experiences surfaced one by one in his mind.
This was a dynasty that had never appeared in the histories, and its name was Shun. After three hundred years on the throne, its descendants had proven unworthy and lost their grip on the realm. The nation collapsed, refugees roamed the land, and war raged everywhere.
He was now Ma Boxing, leader of a rebel army in the south. Born among refugees, Ma Boxing had risen in Yongzhou and led his forces north. He defeated several other rebel powers in succession and absorbed their troops, then campaigned through Jizhou, Yuanzhou, Jianzhou, and Quanzhou. After taking them all, he marched his great army north, aiming its blade directly at Dong Han in Jiangzhou.
Ma Boxing had already swallowed up the other powers in the south. Only the hard bone that was Dong Han remained. If he could crush Dong Han as well, all the lands south of the Yangtze would be united under him. He could then reorganize his army and advance north at his leisure. The realm itself would be within reach.
The army had set out a month earlier and arrived safely at Jiangzhou half a month ago. After careful planning, Ma Boxing succeeded in dividing Dong Han’s forces and devouring them one by one. Everything was proceeding smoothly, and final victory was almost in hand, when an unexpected complication arose.
Ma Boxing’s second grandson, Ma Huayao, was desperate to win glory. He rashly advanced, fell into a trap, and was captured by Dong Han. Dragged onto the city wall and displayed before the army, he became a hostage whose life brought the advance to a halt.
Ma Boxing was forty-six. He had three grown sons, all born to his first wife, Lady Wen. By birth, age, and experience, the position of heir belonged indisputably to his eldest legitimate son, Ma Changyan.
That son had proved capable enough. He handled every assignment Ma Boxing gave him quite competently. There was only one thing his father disliked: he doted far too much on his wife, Lady Tan. The man was already in his thirties, yet he did not have so much as a bedchamber maid. He lived with Lady Tan and no one else.
It was not that Ma Boxing could not stand to see his son and daughter-in-law in love. The problem was that, in his eyes, Lady Tan was unbearably affected, the living incarnation of a walking headache.
She would not drink soup with a trace of oil on it or eat fruit that had been left overnight. The water for her tea had to be dew collected from lotus leaves in summer or melted snow gathered from plum branches in winter. Otherwise, she would not take a single sip. She paid no attention to household affairs and made no effort to win over the wives and daughters of his officers. All day long, she set a chair beside the pond and brooded over spring’s passing or autumn’s arrival. What was so interesting about a few withered lotus flowers anyway?
Oh, they were not lotus flowers. They were lotus blossoms. Lady Tan had corrected him once.
…Damn it, did they not both bloom in the water? What difference did it make?
What Ma Boxing detested most was Lady Tan’s discord with her mother-in-law, Lady Wen. At the slightest disagreement, she would pretend to faint or fall ill. Within a few years of marrying into the family, she had angered his old wife so often that her heart began to ache. Several times, he had wanted to take a whip to that woman, only for his wife and eldest son to hold him back with all their strength.
Fine. One was willing to strike and the other was willing to suffer. Ma Boxing could not be bothered with them anymore.
His eldest son had chosen this wife himself. If that was what he wanted, there was no need for his father to play the villain.
Besides, Lady Tan had at least been productive. After marrying into the family, she bore his eldest son two boys and a girl. His son’s line was secure, so Ma Boxing turned a blind eye to many things.
After taking Jianzhou, Ma Boxing followed the advice of his strategists and trusted retainers and declared himself king. He posthumously honored his late wife, Lady Wen, as Princess Consort of Wu. He then formally installed his eldest son, Ma Changyan, as Heir Apparent of Wu, Lady Tan as the consort of the Heir Apparent, and his eldest grandson, Ma Hualiang, as the Hereditary Grandson.
Now that the army had reached Jiangzhou, the capture of the Heir Apparent of Wu’s second legitimate son after his reckless pursuit of glory had made the situation difficult.
Everyone knew the military situation was urgent and an opportunity in war could vanish in an instant. But who would dare order an attack on the city and disregard the life of the King of Wu’s own legitimate grandson?
If they drove Dong Han into a corner and the young man died, how were they supposed to answer to the Heir Apparent and his wife?
This was their own son, not some child they had picked up by the roadside!
No one dared make the decision. They could only send a message by carrier pigeon asking the King of Wu to come and take charge. Not long after the news went out, the wife of the Heir Apparent arrived as well. The strategists watched the great army hold back for fear of harming the hostage, unable to take the city and suffering terrible casualties. Their anxiety burned, and despite the murderous looks she gave them, they pleaded for an advance. That was the scene Zhu Yuanzhang had walked into upon his arrival.
Ma Boxing.
A melancholy look crossed Zhu Yuanzhang’s face as he repeated the name several times in his mind.
Perhaps it was Heaven’s will. The man happened to bear the surname Ma.
His own late wife had been a Ma as well.
Li Yuanda had said that Empress Miao in the previous world resembled his Empress Xu in looks and bearing. Zhu Yuanzhang could not help wondering whether Lady Wen, who had stood beside Ma Boxing through decades of hardship, might also have resembled his Empress Ma in some way.
But the woman was already gone. He would never have the chance to see her.
Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
No one saw the glimmer of tears that vanished from their depths.
It was the vulnerability and tenderness a Son of Heaven kept sealed beneath an iron shell, and the sorrow of knowing that no human strength could prevail against time and fate.
Outside, Lady Tan was undergoing her punishment. Each stroke of the military cane landed with a muffled crack. Inside the command tent, the gloom had lifted from the brows of the aides and strategists as they gathered around the battle map to discuss their next move. War drums rolled beyond the tent, and the cries of battle went on without end.
Seated firmly in the commander’s chair, Zhu Yuanzhang said to his old companions in the space, “Lady Tan is so impetuous and overbearing. How could she ever be the mother of the realm? That bargain of an eldest son is wrapped around her finger. He has not even taken a concubine. I doubt he is fit for great responsibility either.”
Emperor Gaozu chuckled and stroked the beard on his chin. “Do you remember what was written on the white silk?”
Li Shimin nodded. “Ma Changyan is a powerful warlord. Lady Tan is the daughter of an illustrious family, and they have two sons and a daughter. It all matches!”
Zhu Yuanzhang had very complicated feelings about that.
I transmigrated and discovered that my sons and grandsons are idiots.
What am I supposed to do now?
He rubbed his aching forehead. The battle cries outside seemed to fade a little. As he wondered why, a soldier hurried up to report. “General Qian sent this subordinate to request orders. That villain Dong is holding your grandson on the city wall. He says that if we dare attack again, he will kill him. King of Wu, how should we proceed?”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes sharpened, their gaze bright and hard. “There is no need to ask again. Attack.”
The soldier acknowledged the order and left. Before long, the cries of battle rose once more.
Zhu Yuanzhang’s blood heated at the sound. He donned his armor, took up a long saber, and ordered his attendants to bring his horse. Then he personally rode out to fight.
An aide stepped forward to dissuade him. “A gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall…”
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily. “I am only stretching my limbs. What danger is there to speak of?” With that, he spurred his horse into the enemy ranks.
He had won his own realm one stroke and one blow at a time, and Ma Boxing’s reputation as a great commander of his age was no empty boast. Once he plunged into the enemy formation, he was a tiger among sheep, killing with mounting exhilaration.
Dong Han’s officers and soldiers did not recognize the King of Wu’s face, but they knew his brilliant armor and the weapon that had made him famous. At first, many swarmed toward him, hoping to take the enemy commander’s head. Then they discovered that he truly was ferocious beyond compare. Not only could they gain no advantage, but approaching him was more likely to cost them their lives. Fear took root. They fought as they retreated until they had opened a path before him.
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed aloud and drove his horse straight through, all the way to the gates of Jiangzhou. The sight of their commander fighting with such valor greatly inspired his soldiers. Their momentum surged, and their morale towered like the clouds.
Dong Han’s defeat had already begun, and his forces could no longer hold. After another hour of brutal fighting, one soldier became the first to scale the wall. The main force poured up behind him, killed the remaining soldiers and the old and weak defenders still resisting, and opened the gates to welcome the army inside. After holding out for more than ten days, Jiangzhou finally bowed before the King of Wu’s army.
Blood stained the horses’ hooves. Each step on the stone streets left a crimson horseshoe print behind. The streets were deserted. Only pairs of frightened eyes watched uneasily from windows on the upper floors as the conquerors entered Jiangzhou.
Sitting straight-backed in the saddle, Zhu Yuanzhang asked a trusted subordinate in a mild tone, “Where is my grandson?”
The man faltered. He stole a glance at Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression before answering carefully, “The Second Young Master was killed by that villain Dong. This subordinate has already ordered his remains collected.”
“Oh,” Zhu Yuanzhang said. Then he asked, “Where is Dong Han?”
Seeing that he did not ask another question about the Second Young Master, the subordinate secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Dong Han has been captured. He and his family are being held under guard.”
Zhu Yuanzhang gave another casual “Oh.”
“Kill them all.”
A chill ran down the subordinate’s back. He hastily bowed and accepted the order.
Zhu Yuanzhang reined in his horse and turned to the assembled generals and aides behind him. His expression was stern. “Pass down my command. Once inside the city, no soldier is to kill or plunder, and no one is to harass the common people. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!”
The men answered as one. Another rider galloped toward the rear of the column to spread the King of Wu’s command. Zhu Yuanzhang did not linger. Accompanied by his generals and aides, he had the surrendered Jiangzhou soldiers lead the way and formally took possession of the Jiangzhou government offices.
With Jiangzhou conquered, the northern campaign ended in victory. From that moment on, all lands south of the Yangtze belonged to the King of Wu. The unification of the realm was now in sight.
Zhu Yuanzhang had traveled this same road once before. Walking it again now filled him with a turmoil of emotions. The aides and generals, however, were seeing it for the first time. Their hearts brimmed with ambition and delight.
Amid the congratulations, Zhu Yuanzhang did not lose his head for an instant. He sent men to the Jiangzhou government offices to obtain the household registers and the records of roads, waterworks, and taxes from years past, then set about calming the people. Afterward, he rode out of the city to the army camp to visit Xu Hongwen, who remained unconscious after cutting his own throat.
Zhuo Ming, a strategist and close friend of Xu Hongwen, was keeping watch at his side. The cheers outside the tent had risen to a roar, while Xu Hongwen lay before him, deathly pale and barely breathing. Grief weighed heavily on Zhuo Ming. Then the tent flap was swept aside, and the tall, imposing King of Wu strode in with the bearing of a dragon and the force of a tiger.
The King of Wu had just crushed Jiangzhou. By rights, he should have been drinking and celebrating inside the city. Why had he come here?
Surprise gave way to emotion. Zhuo Ming rose and offered a solemn bow. “If Hongwen knew how the King of Wu valued him, he could die without regret!”
Zhu Yuanzhang raised a hand to stop the bow. “Jiangzhou has fallen and the realm will soon be united. Why must you speak such ominous words, sir?”
He continued, “The army physician says Hongwen’s wound is grave. Even if he recovers, his speech may be affected. I have already sent men to Jianzhou to seek a renowned physician, who should return soon. Hongwen cannot be moved from his bed, so I must rely on you to watch over him in the meantime.”
Zhuo Ming had no objection. Tears of gratitude filled his eyes. “I am willing to serve the King of Wu with all the devotion of a hound or horse!”
Guilt entered Zhu Yuanzhang’s face. “An ignorant woman of my family nearly cost me one of my most trusted ministers!”
Zhuo Ming grew more grateful still and repeatedly protested that he did not deserve such words.
The moment Zhu Yuanzhang stepped out of the command tent, all expression rapidly faded from his face. He mounted his horse and returned to the Jiangzhou government offices, where he pressed his aides to bring every matter in Jiangzhou under control and restore the people’s livelihood as quickly as possible. This one city could not be allowed to hinder the future northern expedition.
“Have the soldiers rest in Jiangzhou for half a month. The generals will assess our losses and administer rewards and punishments. Meanwhile, the officials will sort out Jiangzhou’s land and tax records… Where are they?”
His trusted subordinate smiled. “Everyone was overjoyed when Jiangzhou fell. The generals invited the strategists to drink in the front hall. They said they intend to stay drunk for three days, and asked me to tell you they are waiting for you there.”
“Stay drunk for three days? Have they lost their minds?!”
Zhu Yuanzhang glared. “Military and civil affairs are piling up under their noses. Where would they find the time to drink for three days? They get today. Once they finish drinking, they can get back to work!”
The subordinate: “…”
Li Shimin’s head began to ache. “Old Zhu, you cannot do things this way. People need to relax. They just fought a brutal battle. You have to give them time to recover.”
Zhu Yuanzhang looked startled. “Did I not give them a whole day?”
“…” Li Shimin: “?????”
“What the hell good is one day?” Li Shimin demanded. “They drink, sleep it off, and the day is gone!”
Zhu Yuanzhang began to question everything he knew. “Wait. When you were emperors, how many days off did your officials get each year?”
Liu Che thought for a moment, then said uncertainly, “One bathing day every five days? They had festival holidays too. I never counted, so I do not know the annual total.”
Zhu Yuanzhang stared in the shock of a model workaholic. “That many?!”
Liu Che looked blank. “Is that a lot?”
Zhu Yuanzhang ignored him and turned to Li Shimin. “What about the Great Tang? How many days off did they get each year?”
Li Shimin scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “A hundred or so? Oh, come on. I was not a minister. Why would I have thought about it that much?”
“…” Zhu Yuanzhang: “?????”
“Good heavens! What were you and your ministers doing? Wasting so much time, did you never feel ashamed?!”
Suppressing his fury, he turned to Emperor Gaozu. “What about you, Li Yuanda?!”
Emperor Gaozu counted on his fingers, then answered hesitantly, “Perhaps sixty or so? I think that was about right.”
“Good heavens! What does anyone need that many holidays for? Is work not wonderful? Is reading memorials not a joy? Is there no happiness in starting before dawn and leaving after dark?!”
Zhu Yuanzhang stared at the other emperors in bitter anguish. “People these days are becoming more ungrateful by the generation. So greedy, so addicted to pleasure! How are they supposed to help an emperor govern the realm? The officials of our Great Ming were not like that. They got three days off a year and were perfectly happy!”
Emperor Gaozu: “…”
Liu Che: “…”
Li Shimin: “…”
Only Ying Zheng, a fellow model of relentless labor who kept reading bamboo slips even after his arms grew so sore he had to suspend them from his neck, nodded in approval. “You are right.”
Emperor Gaozu: “…”
Liu Che: “…”
Li Shimin: “…”
Overjoyed to have found a kindred spirit, Zhu Yuanzhang asked, “How many days off did Great Qin officials get each year?”
Ying Zheng said disdainfully, “What is a holiday? I have no need of such a thing, and neither does Great Qin.”
Emperor Gaozu: “…”
Liu Che: “…”
Li Shimin: “…”
Zhu Yuanzhang: “…………”
Damn it. He had lost.