Chapter Fifty-Five: Mud Splattered on the Trousers

That night, at Wang Pu’s camp.

Chang Yanling and Li Zushu had gone into the city during the day to gather news and had yet to return. Scarface, Xiao Qi, Amu, and the others had all gathered in Zhen Youcai’s tent. With Wang Pu absent, Zhen Youcai, the cunning strategist, had become their pillar of support.

“We cannot sit and wait for death,” Zhen Youcai said. “We must find a way to rescue the general.”

“Tell us what to do, Mr. Zhen,” Scarface urged.

Zhen Youcai paused, then spoke in a low voice, “This trouble began with His Majesty’s decree of marriage, and to resolve it, we must start from that decree. We’ll give him a dose of mud in the trousers—whether it’s filth or not, it looks like filth!”

Amu stammered, “What—what does that mean?”

“It’s simple,” Zhen Youcai replied gravely. “We must turn raw rice into cooked. Force His Majesty to marry Princess Changping to the general. Once the general weds the princess, he becomes the imperial son-in-law. As a member of the royal family, those upright officials in court will lose their grounds to impeach him. The matter will fall under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Clan Court, but even that is subject to His Majesty’s word. Tell me, would the emperor ever kill his own son-in-law?”

“Brilliant!” Scarface exclaimed, slapping his knee. “There’s no logic in this world for a father-in-law to kill his son-in-law. That’s a fine idea.”

Xiao Qi frowned. “But, Mr. Zhen, His Majesty originally intended to marry the princess to the general—it was the general himself who refused. If the general is unwilling, how can we turn raw rice into cooked?”

Scarface nodded, finding the argument reasonable. “What if the general doesn’t agree?”

“You don’t understand the general,” Zhen Youcai smiled. “He isn’t unwilling to marry the princess. He refuses to divorce Lady Yuan before taking the princess as his wife. You all know his character: once he sets his mind, who can force him otherwise? Even if he cared nothing for Lady Yuan, he would still do the same, let alone that Lady Yuan is gentle, wise, and once saved his life. All the more reason he won’t abandon her. That’s why we must turn raw rice to cooked, smear mud in the emperor’s trousers—whether it is filth or not, it looks like filth.”

Scarface and Amu exchanged glances, shaking their heads. “We don’t get it.”

“Ahem, you don’t need to,” Zhen Youcai coughed. “Just follow my instructions.”

Scarface and the others nodded. “Tell us what to do, Mr. Zhen.”

“Xiao Qi,” Zhen Youcai said, “tomorrow, go into Beijing and find a few destitute scholars. Have them embellish the love story of the general and Lady Yuan, then bring the script to some renowned theatre troupes. I’m certain those troupes will be eager to perform the tale of the general and Miss Yuan.”

In the Ming dynasty, beginning with Hongwu, the court imposed harsh discipline on officials—embezzling as little as sixty taels of silver could mean the death penalty. Yet over the common people, the government was remarkably lenient, especially in the northern and southern capitals, where the populace enjoyed indulgence from the imperial court. By the late Ming, the people’s voices criticizing the government had become a trend.

Groups like the Restoration Society in Jiangnan were purely civilian organizations, yet dared to openly attack government policies and even defame prominent ministers. As long as these groups didn’t ally with officials, successive Ming emperors tolerated them. The oft-repeated claims in Ming history of oppressive rule and terrified subjects are, in fact, lies. In truth, the Song and Ming dynasties, ruled by Han Chinese, were the most “human rights” oriented eras in two thousand years of feudal history.

At least, so it was for the common people.

So, in the Ming dynasty, theatre troupes could openly stage plays about court officials, and storytellers in tea houses could freely recount secrets about the emperor. As long as one didn’t deliberately fabricate scandals or slander officials or the emperor, the authorities usually turned a blind eye—rarely intervening.

“Alright, I’ll go tomorrow.”

“Remember to pay them well; let the scholars write with flair.”

“No problem.”

“Scarface, starting tomorrow, take extra silver and frequent taverns and tea houses. Chat with friends from the martial world. Tell them the general is the most honorable and loyal man alive—he refused the princess’s hand for Lady Yuan’s sake, and risked his life to rescue his wronged soldiers.”

“Alright, I’ll do it tomorrow.”

“Also, try to find a few storytellers and share the general’s deeds with them. If storytellers help spread the word, his story will soon echo throughout Beijing. In a few days, every young lady and wife in the city will know the general refused the princess because he wouldn’t abandon Lady Yuan. Every gentleman will know he ended up here because he tried to rescue his loyal soldiers.”

Scarface nodded. “Understood.”

Zhen Youcai continued, “Tomorrow, I’ll bring generous gifts and call on the Tian and Zhou families, seeking the influence of the Imperial Uncle Tian and the Imperial Father-in-law Zhou. With the people and scholars stirring public sentiment outside, and Empress Zhou and Consort Tian whispering to His Majesty inside, the marriage between the general and the princess may yet find a turning point!”

Seeing Xiao Qi and Scarface assigned their tasks, Amu grew anxious. “What about me?”

“You?” Zhen Youcai shot him a glance. “You stay in camp and keep the brothers in line. Make sure they don’t cause trouble at this crucial moment.”

■■■

While Zhen Youcai and the others were busy devising ways to rescue Wang Pu, another person was running about for him—Minister of War Chen Xinjia. As previously mentioned, Chen Xinjia was now tied to Wang Pu; neither could escape without the other. He had no choice but to help.

Chen Xinjia went to the residence of the newly promoted cabinet minister, Zhou Yanru, but was refused entry.

Was Zhou Yanru not at home? Of course not. When Chen Xinjia arrived, Zhou Yanru was in his study, deep in conversation with Vice Minister of Personnel, Wang Xiyan.

“Why won’t you see Minister Chen?” Wang Xiyan asked.

“At times like this, it’s best not to get too close to Chen Xinjia,” Zhou Yanru replied.

Wang Xiyan, puzzled, said, “But on the Golden Hall this afternoon, you joined Minister Chen in defending General Wang. Why the change now?”

“Afternoon was afternoon, now is now,” Zhou Yanru answered.

Wang Xiyan pressed, “Do you mean…”

“In the afternoon, I protected Wang Pu because His Majesty didn’t wish him dead. Now, I avoid Chen Xinjia because I still haven’t deciphered His Majesty’s current intentions.”

“Is it possible His Majesty might execute Wang Pu?” Wang Xiyan asked in a low voice.

“It’s hard to say,” Zhou Yanru sighed. “Originally, had Wang Pu used his immunity token for himself, he would have escaped this calamity with ease. Who could have guessed he’d use it to save a mere soldier? Now things have grown complicated. Wang Pu has pushed His Majesty into an awkward position—even if he wants to spare Wang Pu, he finds no suitable way to do so.”

“But I think His Majesty is unlikely to kill Wang Pu,” Wang Xiyan shook his head. “Though Wang Pu is reckless, he is a rare talent—a general who destroyed Shengjing, captured the Prince Regent, recaptured Jining, reopened the canal, and recovered the long-lost Imperial Seal. These are great achievements—do they not outweigh his faults?”

Zhou Yanru countered, “Wang Pu has indeed served the court well, but don’t you find him too capable? His Majesty was already furious over the marriage refusal, and now faces insubordination and a rescue at the execution ground. This is pouring oil on the fire. The more capable Wang Pu is, the more His Majesty fears him.”

“Ah, I see,” Wang Xiyan said, understanding at last. “No wonder you won’t see Minister Chen now.”

“But…” Zhou Yanru shifted his tone. “Wang Pu is not necessarily doomed.”

“I am ignorant—please enlighten me,” Wang Xiyan said.

Zhou Yanru explained, “If Wang Pu were to divorce that courtesan, then marry Princess Changping, the matter of defying orders and rescuing at the execution ground could be resolved favorably. It would be a boon for both Wang Pu and the Ming dynasty.”

“How so?” Wang Xiyan asked.

“If I’m not mistaken, His Majesty originally planned to make Wang Pu his son-in-law, then appoint him as Commander of the Capital Garrison. With Wang Pu’s abilities, His Majesty would not send him to the frontier again. That would prevent him from fighting the Manchus or suppressing rebels in the central plains.”

“And now?” Wang Xiyan pressed.

“Now, after Wang Pu’s insubordination and rescue mission, it appears reckless and lawless, yet also demonstrates that he values brotherhood over political schemes—a man with little hidden agenda. If such a man marries the princess, he won’t side with the Manchus, nor with the rebels, nor will he raise a banner in rebellion. His Majesty can safely send him to the frontier to command troops. Wouldn’t that be a blessing for the dynasty?”

“But, according to Ming tradition, the Commander-in-law cannot be sent to the provinces to lead troops,” Wang Xiyan objected.

“What tradition?” Zhou Yanru dismissed. “With the country in crisis, who cares about such rules? Besides, whether Wang Pu commands troops at the frontier is up to His Majesty alone. If he wishes it, can the upright officials like Liu Zongzhou or Li Banghua oppose him?”

“That’s true.” Wang Xiyan nodded, then asked, “Do you think Wang Pu will divorce his wife and remarry?”

Zhou Yanru stroked his beard, shaking his head. “I haven’t interacted much with Wang Pu, but I can tell he is reckless and proud, yet an honorable and loyal man, unyielding to the end. I doubt he could bring himself to commit such a heartless act.”

Wang Xiyan nodded, murmuring, “That makes things difficult…”