Chapter 15: Left, Right, Everybody! Forward March!
Wuying Hall.
Old Zhu stared at the towering stack of memorials on the desk, his head throbbing with pain.
All these memorials were impeaching Qin Feng!
Song Lian accused Qin Feng of disregarding palace rules by leading the princes in an escape from the imperial palace.
Hu Weiyong and several other civil officials charged Qin Feng with brazen misconduct—trespassing the imperial treasury and injuring the son of a court official.
The contents of the memorials were largely the same, all outlining various accusations against Qin Feng.
But Qin Feng’s status was no ordinary matter. If he defended Qin Feng to the death, it would be tantamount to opposing the civil officials in court.
Yet if he did not protect Qin Feng, with the imminent disaster of the Yellow River’s breach, Qin Feng was still needed to arrange supplies.
Moreover, Qin Feng’s proposed river management plan seemed feasible to Old Zhu.
Such a prodigious talent—if he was truly brought down by this group of corrupt scholars, when would he ever witness the great flourishing of the Ming dynasty?
Just as Old Zhu’s headache worsened, Zhu Biao suddenly burst into the hall, his voice urgent.
“Father, please, you must protect Master Qin! Everything he has done is for the disaster victims in Huai West. I beg you to be lenient with him.”
“If absolutely necessary, grant him a chance to redeem himself through meritorious service.”
Old Zhu’s face turned as cold as ice. He shot Zhu Biao a glare.
“You’ve only known Qin Feng a few days, and yet you’ve become as unruly as he is?”
Zhu Biao knelt earnestly.
“Father! Master Qin is a great talent. I am willing to stake my life on his behalf. Everything he does is for the court and the people of the realm.”
Originally, Old Zhu intended to pressure Zhu Biao, for as Crown Prince, how could he be cavorting with Qin Feng in the imperial treasury, making a mockery of propriety?
But recalling how Qin Feng said that Zhu Biao’s late brother died from accumulated toil and sorrow, Old Zhu gradually suppressed his anger.
He approached the kneeling Zhu Biao, gently lifting him up, his tone softening.
“We know your heart is full of benevolence, but benevolence alone is not the best way to govern. Only decisive action and stern judgment can command respect among ministers.”
Zhu Biao looked at Old Zhu in awe, scarcely believing it.
His father, always so strict, could be so gentle.
He hurriedly cupped his hands.
“I will heed your teachings, Father.”
“Master Qin also said I am too soft and urged me to be stronger.”
“Throughout history, emperors like Tang Zong and Han Wu, who forged great eras, were all decisive and resolute.”
Old Zhu smiled with satisfaction.
“That rascal Qin Feng has taught you something useful at last.”
“I want to protect Qin Feng as well, but with so many impeachments, how can I silence these civil officials in court?”
Zhu Biao smiled.
“Father, what’s so difficult about that? Just take those accusations against Qin Feng and place them on me. Do you think those civil officials would dare impeach me?”
“Besides, when Qin Feng took me and my brothers out of the palace to the treasury so openly, wasn’t it precisely to use my name as a shield?”
“Then why not fulfill Qin Feng’s wish and use me to protect him?”
Old Zhu was stunned.
“Was this Qin Feng’s idea?”
Zhu Biao shook his head.
“I saw everything Master Qin said and did, thought about it all night, and finally understood his intention.”
Old Zhu patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder with pride.
“My son, you have grown. You’ve learned to read others’ minds.”
“Looks like the teacher I found for you has been of great benefit!”
“Tomorrow’s morning court, we will proceed as you say—to protect Qin Feng!”
…
Qin Mansion.
Qin Feng reclined leisurely in his rocking chair, the maidservants before him a delight to the eye.
Ten taels of silver had not been wasted; the maidservants Wang Jinghong had found were truly charming.
They had snow-white skin, rosy cheeks, slender waists—some plump and some slender—all dressed uniformly in maid attire. They greeted politely:
“Good fortune and peace to the master!”
Their voices were soft and melodious, like warblers and swallows.
“Did Lord Wang tell you the rules of my mansion?”
The maids shook their heads in confusion, looking at Qin Feng blankly.
“Now that you’ve come to my mansion, you can slack off at work, but you must take turns attending to me.”
“When you serve me, don’t be too annoying—best to be a bit coy and sweet.”
“If you please me, there will be rewards in silver.”
After a brief exchange of glances, the maidservants all rose to knead his legs and massage his shoulders.
Qin Feng emitted sounds of comfort, thinking to himself: The wicked feudal society is truly a delight.
Just as Qin Feng enjoyed their ministrations, a well-trained army suddenly gathered outside the mansion gates!
The leading officer entered, approaching Qin Feng and half-kneeling, cupping his fists respectfully.
“Reporting, Commander Zhou Huang of the Thousand Household Troops at your service, Grand Tutor Qin.”
Qin Feng waved the maids away; they all retreated.
“Three thousand infantry have been dispatched?”
“Commander Zhou reports that by His Majesty’s order, he leads three thousand foot soldiers ready to follow Grand Tutor Qin’s command.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s depart at once for Shanglin Garden. His Majesty wants me to arrange grain supplies; I dare not delay a moment.”
“Commander Zhou acknowledges! Please mount, Grand Tutor Qin.”
With Zhou Huang’s assistance, Qin Feng mounted his horse. Outside, over three thousand armored foot soldiers stood in formation.
The formidable Ming army stirred a fiery pride in Qin Feng’s heart.
No matter the era, ancient or modern, seeing soldiers always evoked a deep respect in him.
Qin Feng shouted to the troops behind him:
“From now on, follow me, Qin Feng! I guarantee you food and pay!”
“We must reach Shanglin Garden before sunset. I will not allow anyone to fall behind!”
“Understood?”
The three thousand soldiers responded loudly and clearly:
“Understood!”
“All right, march!”
Thus, under Qin Feng’s lead, the three thousand foot soldiers set off grandly toward Shanglin Garden.
As the sun dipped low, the Shanglin Garden officials were preparing to leave.
“Sir, bad news! A force of several thousand armored men is approaching fast, heading straight for Shanglin Garden!”
The Shanglin Garden’s administrative officer was a low-ranking ninth-rank official, a post Song Lian had secured for his nephew Song Qing from Old Zhu.
Shanglin Garden symbolized the imperial family, and the administrator was tasked with guarding it. Though minor in rank, the responsibility was great.
Following his subordinates’ directions, Song Qing peered out and saw a dark mass advancing—a well-trained band resembling mountain bandits!
“Help! Help! Someone is trying to raid Shanglin Garden!”
With a wail, Song Qing rushed inside the government office, ordering the guards to stand firm before Shanglin Garden.
The imperial gardens would not tolerate bandits trampling freely!
Meanwhile, Song Qing was already trembling under the desk, terrified…