Chapter 439: This Grudge Must Be Avenged
Chapter 434 of "The Great Ming in the Box" unveils: Knowledgeable in many matters, Liang Shixian instantly activated his deduction mode within his mind.The Deity’s... Continue the story!
Knowledgeable in many matters, Liang Shixian instantly activated his deduction mode within his mind.The Deity’s thoughts, the Saint Lady’s thoughts, the situation in Gaojia Village, social conventions — endless possibilities branched out like parts of a world tree inside his head, unfolding continuously…
Then, with a ding, it locked onto an outcome.
The Deity was an immortal being; he couldn’t possibly meddle in mortal affairs.
It must have been the Saint Lady forging a Decree, right? She wanted to leverage the Decree of the Deity to place several childhood friends from Gaojia Village, the village’s youths, into the official army. They’d first earn some military merits and later smoothly land government posts.
Yes, that had to be it!
Having spent years navigating the official circles, Liang Shixian had seen it all. Within the Great Ming bureaucracy, troublemakers were as numerous as cow hairs. With all manner of demons and monsters putting on varied performances, he had long grown indifferent to such antics.
He once thought Gaojia Village would be free of such things. But now… alas, human nature! Even the Saint Lady wasn’t immune to its baser instincts.
Liang Shixian let out a long sigh. “Very well! This official shall comply.”
He didn’t expose Gao Yiye’s forgery of the Decree directly, thinking to himself: Arranging a few kin or close friends to secure government posts wasn’t such a terrible wrong. There was no need to clash with the Saint Lady over it.
Her status in the Deity’s eyes probably held the same status as Wei Zhongxian beside Zhu Youjian. Such figures were untouchable; he had no business butting heads.
He could quietly inform the Deity during his next incense offering. But for such a minor matter, even if he told the Deity, he likely wouldn’t punish the Saint Lady severely.
Affairs among mortals were mostly like this.
Things in the immortal realm probably weren’t much different.
If the heavenly beings didn’t play favorites, how would so many bizarre monsters appear in Journey to the West?
Liang Shixian composed himself and returned to his office, quietly waiting.
That evening, a fast horseman arrived. A trusted aide of General Wang Chengen of Shaanxi had come. His opening request: borrow grain.
Liang Shixian, well-prepared, remained utterly unflustered. He smiled faintly. “General Wang is a fine commander. Chengcheng County is willing to offer aid. However… our county has a few promising youths. They wish to accompany General Wang to battle, to learn the art of war. I wonder…”
“No problem!” The aide agreed without a second thought. He understood the social give-and-take. After solving such a major problem for them, slipping a few men under their command to gain military honors was perfectly normal. Refusing would make the grain request itself pointless.
Liang Shixian: “I will immediately organize porters to transport the grain to Hancheng. Please ask General Wang to wait a little longer.”
The aide hadn’t expected the grain borrowing to be settled so easily in just a few words. Overjoyed, he effusively thanked Liang Shixian before galloping back to Hancheng to report.
Gaojia Village barracks.
Cheng Xu and Wang Er sat facing each other across a table. Both wore cloth masks, hiding their faces. Though Cheng Xu knew it was Wang Er opposite him, Wang Er didn’t recognize Cheng Xu.
“The Deity has spoken. We need to place our own people within General Wang Chengen’s army. Gradually, from the inside, turn the General of Shaanxi to our Deity’s sides.” Cheng Xu pointed at his own mask. “I can’t possibly go. And you aren’t quite suitable either, right?”
Wang Er nodded: “I cannot go.”
Cheng Xu: “I’ve only selected Shi Jian. Do you have any suitable candidates? They must be staunch individuals, absolutely incorruptible by the authorities. And they need to be clever enough, articulate, able to sway the officials over to our Deity’s camp.”
“Multi-colored isn’t even good-looking,” Wang Er muttered derisively before lowering his voice: “My subordinate, White Cat. He can go. There’s absolutely no way the officials could buy him over.”
Cheng Xu: “Oh? Has he ever rebelled? Isn’t he on the official records?”
Wang Er chuckled and shook his head: “Don’t worry. He kept a low profile, never did anything remarkable in the bandit armies. His real name is still unknown. Now, leaving from Gaojia Village, no one would know he ever rebelled. They’ll only think he’s a decent commoner from Gaojia Village.”
Cheng Xu: “Good! Then we’ll send Shi Jian and White Cat. Speaking of which, what is White Cat’s real name?”
Wang Er: “Wang Xiaohua.”
Pfft! Cheng Xu couldn’t hold back his tea. “Such a cute name? Isn’t this a girl’s name put on a boy?”
Wang Er shrugged: “He’s troubled by it too. But his parents gave him the name. He can’t very well oppose them, can he?”
Li Daoxuan, overhearing, felt sweat trickle down his back. Wang Xiaohua! My heavens! That name… Thank goodness my parents’ naming sense was normal.
Hequ County, county office.
Ah, no – this place should now be called the Royal Mansion!
The mansion of Yizi Wang, Wang Jiayin.
Wang Jiayin had just downed a couple of sips of wine and was embracing his wife, Zhang. His eyes were blurry, hinting at plans for some intimate pleasure.
This Zhang was the sister of Zhang Liwei, the same man who previously tried to kill Wang Er.
She was born in Yaomao Village as the daughter of Zhang Maoxiu, a prominent local clan leader.
She had been married to Wang Jiayin for only half a year.
During the Sixth Month of the Third Year of Chongzhen, Wang Jiayin led his forces to capture Huangpu Fort. As his large army pressed towards Yaomao Village, Zhang Maoxiu, the local clan patriarch facing annihilation, was forced to offer his daughter. Thus, Zhang endured the deep humiliation of marrying a bandit chieftain. While the entire Zhang clan escaped death, they were forcefully conscripted into Wang Jiayin’s army.
All of the Zhang family’s wealth became Wang Jiayin’s military funds. Zhang suffered humiliation and degradation, using her body to please Wang Jiayin just to keep her entire family, young and old, alive. Her younger brother, Zhang Liwei, had to feign absolute loyalty and serve as Wang Jiayin’s subordinate.
Wang Jiayin, meanwhile, mistook his wife’s actions for genuine admiration.
“My beloved consort, I have proclaimed myself King; you are now Princess-Consort. Wait a few more years. Once I finish off that young runt Zhu Youjian and ascend as Emperor, you shall become Empress.”
Zhang could only force an awkward smile: “This unworthy concubine is deeply overjoyed.”
Wang Jiayin puffed his chest proudly: “I command an army of three hundred and fifty thousand men…”
Just as he was boasting, a trusted aide rushed in and announced loudly: “Your Majesty! Bu Zhan Ni requests an audience!”
Bu Zhan Ni was a major bandit leader with formidable strength. Even Wang Jiayin had to afford him some respect. He waved his hand: “Admit him.”
Shortly after, Bu Zhan Ni entered. He clasped his fists in greeting and, after the expected formal pleasantries, cut straight to the point: “Your Majesty, I come seeking your adjudication on a matter.”
Wang Jiayin: “Oh? What is it?”
Bu Zhan Ni: “The Shanxi salt smuggler Xing Honglang killed Old Zhang Fei, captain of my fifth squad! That damned salt smuggler is now holed up at the ancient ferry dock! This grudge must be avenged! But according to my informants, she has ships, cannons, firearms, and a large fortress. She’s formidable. I ask Your Majesty to dispatch several more squads to aid me.”