Three days later, at noon, the heavy snow had stopped.
Zhu Mo, leading the musketeers, entered Datong Prefecture.
He and Zhao Shizhen rode side by side, followed by a hundred-strong cavalry with lances, presenting an imposing sight that drew constant murmurs from the onlookers.
Along the way, they noticed that the disaster in Datong was more severe. However, with two Embroidered Uniform Guards stationed in two garrisons, officials dared not embezzle or divert relief supplies. With the authority of the Imperial Edict and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, everyone was diligent, and the disaster victims were settled better than in Xuanfu.
Yet, there was a difference. Within Datong city, there was an atmosphere of panic and tension, unlike the orderly Xuanfu.
Zhu Mo felt that the pedestrians and merchants on the streets all wore expressions of distress, and their fear intensified upon seeing his hundred-man contingent.
Over these past few days,
He and Zhao Shizhen had become quite intimate as companions. Surprisingly, he hadn't realized that Zhao Shizhen was not only an excellent craftsman but also a learned scholar who had once intended to pursue the imperial examinations before abandoning the path.
At this moment,
Zhao Shizhen also sensed something amiss and whispered, "Young Master Zhu, something feels off about Datong Prefecture. Why are the people so afraid of the soldiers?"
Zhu Mo shared the same sentiment.
"It's almost the Little Year in three days. Why isn't there any sign of festive cheer here?"
Zhao Shizhen, with his keen observation, seemed to voice Zhu Mo's every thought.
Zhu Mo sighed and said, "Who knows? The Tatars have just invaded, and many were plundered. Naturally, they are afraid..."
"But we are the imperial soldiers!"
"Heh heh..."
Zhu Mo chose not to elaborate.
This scene was, of course, the result of years of oppression by families like the Yan family and the Prince of Raoyang. It was not entirely unexpected; however, the fear of the common people towards soldiers was indeed rare. There must be many stories behind this, perhaps related to the private forces of the Prince of Raoyang.
As he was pondering this, a sound of gongs clearing the way ahead could be heard—
Clang!
Clang!
The crowd suddenly parted to both sides. Riding at the forefront on a tall horse was the Governor, Yang Xuan, accompanied by the Grand General Wu Ying, and followed by over twenty officials of Datong Prefecture.
Yang Xuan's previous courageous memorial had earned him the appreciation of Yan Song, who bestowed upon him the title of Vice Minister of War, finally elevating him from the third to the second tier, now on par with Gao Hanwen and others.
Luo Longwen had even privately disclosed that within months, the Grand Secretary would bestow further rewards, potentially appointing him as the Grand General of Xuan and Da, making him a truly powerful official. With this backing, Yang Xuan's demeanor and display were naturally more ostentatious upon his return.
Moreover, he was privy to the secret discussions and understood Yan Song's strategic details better than Ge Jin. He knew that regardless of Yan Song, Yan Shifan was dead-set on killing Zhu Mo, and no one, not even the Emperor himself, could stop it. As the Governor of Datong, he was naturally tasked with orchestrating Zhu Mo's demise.
Over the past few days, he had devised a complete plan:
Step one, pacify Zhu Mo while subtly controlling him. Step two, collaborate with the Princess of Dai to create a foolproof scheme that would leave him speechless and utterly despised by the populace. This was merely the prelude. The actual execution would require finding suitable personnel, naturally, bandits from the White Lotus Society...
He recalled Yan Shifan's personal instructions upon his departure: if absolutely necessary, stage a scene of adultery, arrest the Princess of Dai as well, and secretly escort them back to the capital. In any case, they would be of no further use, and she could be used to deal with that scoundrel, the Prince of Raoyang...
However, Li Wenjin's sudden defection in these past few days made him feel that the situation had changed—
After all,
He was the one who had reported Li Wenjin and Ma Fang's overnight journey to the capital. How could he not understand the sentiments of these veteran garrison soldiers? Ge Jin, the incompetent fool, obviously did not grasp it, but Yang Xuan, having toiled in Xuan and Da for so many years, could guess it with his toes: the veteran garrison soldiers were afraid. Their end was nigh, and thus they sought to cling to Zhu Mo!
Clinging to Zhu Mo meant an existing alliance, introducing a new variable—
Within Datong city, there was still a large contingent of veteran garrison soldiers who would fight tooth and nail to protect Zhu Mo! There was even a possibility that Li Wenjin had already sent people to infiltrate, plotting something. If the plan faltered, they might not be able to kill him, and if Zhu Mo couldn't be killed, Yang Xuan would be utterly ruined!
Therefore,
Three days ago, he had ordered a large-scale redeployment and stationed heavy troops to strictly guard the Datong Right Guard. This was where the veteran garrison soldiers' influence was strongest; as long as the Right Guard was controlled, the veteran army could not cause any trouble. The Right Guard's Deputy General, Ma Lu, had been temporarily suspended and was under investigation, replaced by his trusted subordinate, Youji Ouyang An, who was now in charge.
Today,
Upon hearing of Zhu Mo's arrival in the city, he immediately deployed the grandest of retinues, leading the charge himself, intending to control Zhu Mo at the earliest opportunity.
At this moment,
He spotted Zhu Mo from afar and instructed Wu Ying, "Proceed according to plan, not a single detail can be missed..."
Wu Ying nodded solemnly and replied, "Your Excellency, rest assured. Everything has been arranged by your subordinate..."
Mm-hmm,
Yang Xuan dismounted swiftly and hurried forward, bowing his head in obeisance and declaring loudly, "Datong Town Governor Yang Xuan and Grand General Wu Ying, along with all principal officials, respectfully welcome the esteemed Grand Scholar Zhu!"
The more than twenty officials behind them echoed their praise in unison, creating a sensation. The onlookers on both sides of the street immediately gathered, pointing and murmuring—
"That young gentleman is Zhu Mo!"
"He's truly a Grand Scholar... so handsome!"
"I heard he's here to arrest someone?"
"Nonsense! He's here for disaster relief..."
"What are those things carried on the backs of the soldiers he brought? Why are they so long?"
"What else could they be? Probably muskets..."
"Those things are useless!"
"..."
Amidst the public discussion, Zhu Mo dismounted and helped Yang Xuan up, smiling, "Governor, you are too kind! I am merely here for disaster relief, how can I possibly bear such an honor?"
Yang Xuan tightly grasped his arms and said with utmost sincerity, "Young Master Zhu, it is wonderful that you have arrived! The Datong Town now needs an imperial envoy to thoroughly rectify it! I, Yang, am of humble virtue and exalted position, truly unable to bear this great responsibility..."
Oh?
Hearing this, Zhu Mo found it rather novel, thinking—
You appear to be quite honest, but you have such a stratagem? Coming from the Yan family, such low-key behavior is indeed rare...
He glanced casually and saw over a thousand soldiers behind the subordinate officials, which surprised him: why bring so many troops? Could it be? They intend to forcibly subdue me?
At this moment,
He caught sight of Zhao Shizhen's excited face and felt a pang of sentiment—
A scholar remains a scholar. Do you, Zhao Shizhen, truly consider this grand display a good thing?
I see it as fraught with hidden dangers...
Zhu Mo was well aware of the current extremely perilous situation. Yan Shifan and Yan Maoqing's desire to kill him was a certainty, a resolve that would not waver even unto death.
But despite the danger, as long as Altan had not massed his troops at the border, the Yan family would not dare to make a move. And he himself remained a favored figure in the court, so they would not dare to utter a word of objection.
Because, once any incident escalated, it could very well alter the circumstances again, causing the Yan family's entire plan to be shelved once more.
The immediate priority was to investigate the situation and gather irrefutable evidence to make arrests before Altan's main forces arrived, then directly take control of Datong Prefecture, and subsequently mobilize personnel like Ma Fang, Li Wenjin, and Wang Chonggu to prepare for war early and launch a sudden counterattack against Altan.