The atmosphere settled slightly, but Yan Song grew more uneasy. Others might not understand, but he knew his power was built upon a delicate, unspoken understanding: the officials, gentry, and scholars of the realm were acutely aware of his elevated position. These were the intelligent ones, those who understood that the royal family and the common people were natural adversaries. That was why, during Zhu Mo’s reform, they were immediately attacked by the entire class of gentry and scholars. When Prince Yu monopolized the court and established the Privy Council, the situation was the same; the officials had resented it from the start. Once Prince Yu began to crack down on them, they would all unite to fight back…
This event wasn't so long ago, but with the rapid succession of recent events, everyone suddenly felt as though a great deal of time had passed. A brief recollection brought Zhao Wenhua to mind—
After Grand Secretary Yan resumed power, everyone scoured the capital searching for Mu Zhaobi. Mu was not apprehended, but a minor official named Yin Tai was. Under severe torture, Yin confessed that Duke Qian, Mu Zhaobi, did indeed harbor many retainers at Zhihua Temple, but his entry into the palace that night was not an act of rebellion but rather as an escort. This man was indeed tough; he never wavered from his statement. Later, by accident, he managed to commit suicide by dashing his head against a wall, and the case had to be halted. Coupled with the sudden disappearance of Mu Zhaobi and Zhang Rong, Yan Shifan, fearing the Emperor’s involvement behind the scenes, instructed everyone to temporarily cease further investigation…
“Grand Secretary, those men were ignorant of the affair. The deceased was indeed Yin Tai, but he told his subordinates that he was entering the palace to aid the Emperor…”
Zhao Wenhua first clarified this point, then continued:
“Later, the Young Grand Secretary deemed the matter peculiar and advised against hasty action… I ceased my interrogation… Those men are still around Zhihua Temple… It’s a former imperial hunting ground, abandoned for over a hundred years, with plenty of dilapidated barracks. I had them confined there… Ah, it’s a minor officer from the Imperial Guards, a few hundred men, watching over them…”
Hmm, hmm,
Yan Song nodded, his mind racing with calculations—
He was short of personnel at the moment. The Shenjiying could not be mobilized, and the Imperial Guards had been drawn into the palace by Lü Fang and Huang Jin. All the manpower in the capital was divided into two factions, engaged in a fierce struggle… However, the Imperial Guards numbered less than two thousand in total, with some deployed to crucial locations. It was estimated that there were at most twelve to thirteen hundred men in the palace at this time. These Imperial Guards usually did not engage in combat, mostly serving as ceremonial guards, and were utterly incapable of fighting. If these men were willing to exert themselves, along with some household retainers, they might be able to secure the Forbidden City.
“Everyone is tired these days, and I understand that… The events occurred suddenly… But the nation is in peril! Everyone must rouse yourselves, make one final push, and once we overcome this hurdle, all will be well… eh?”
He looked at them earnestly.
Alas,
Everyone shared the same sentiment—
You father and son have dragged us all into this predicament. The capital is now rife with looting and arson, with retainers from both sides clashing throughout the city… Li Chunfang is dead, and many minor officials’ households have been ransacked… Even if we wanted to stop now, it’s too late…
Though resentful, they all heard Yan Song clearly—
Yan Song had just stated that the murderers and arsonists on the streets were others, retainers and prisoners mobilized by the Directorate of Ceremonial, and that these men had killed Li Chunfang… He also questioned the desperadoes nurtured by Duke Qian and Prince Yu… The situation was quite clear: a final gamble, to overcome this crisis?
As everyone hesitated,
Zhang Yu was the first to speak:
“Grand Secretary, your subordinate understands! I will immediately instruct the officials at the Dali Temple to bring out their retainers and assist the Young Grand Secretary in maintaining order!”
Good!
“Excellent…”
Yan Song nodded repeatedly, delighted:
“Wei Shi, you are truly capable…”
With this,
Everyone knew there was no other way out and nodded in agreement, returning to gather their remaining forces for one last desperate effort.
Yan Song knew the situation was urgent and there was no time to wait for his son to return to oversee matters. He immediately said:
“Everyone, hurry. Talk more, search more. Manpower can always be found… For the sake of the nation, how can there be no one?”
He let out a long sigh, watching the sun climb higher, and said gravely:
“In two hours, at most two hours, before noon, everyone must be at the Meridian Gate… whether you have found manpower or not, you must go…”
Seeing the deep solemnity in his eyes, despite his age, and thinking of this as a battle for destiny, everyone spoke in unison:
“Your subordinate obeys.”