Twenty days later,
Wang Gongchang.
A square formation of a hundred flintlock guns stood in readiness.
As the Vice Minister of War, Liang Menglong had appointed Zhao Shizhen as captain, with Li Huai attached to the army to listen to orders, responsible for the safety of Zhu Mo, the disaster relief envoy, in Xuan and Da.
Zhu Mo had everyone shoot at a target. The results were astonishingly good. With the sand charge, loading was much more convenient, with intervals of only five to six seconds, almost achieving rapid fire.
With this unit of musketeers, even if Tatar cavalry charged in formation, they could fire more than fifty times within 100 meters. Less than a tenth would reach the formation's front, and a unit of cavalry, after suffering seventy to eighty percent casualties, would have their courage shattered and lose all fighting power.
With this unit of musketeers, Zhu Mo finally felt a bit more confident.
As long as they were used appropriately, and with disguises and many reserve teams, Altan would surely be on edge. Those cavalrymen were very precious to him, and he would certainly be reluctant to face these firearms. Moreover, Altan was a very flexible person. He should understand that allying with Zhu Mo was definitely better than colluding with Yan Song...
And to maintain secrecy, Zhao Shizhen had made a batch of cotton covers, allowing the soldiers to wrap their guns and carry them on their shoulders. Most people would just think they were firearms, unaware of how much they had already changed.
At noon,
Zhu Mo and Liang Menglong led the team, with Zhao Shizhen accompanying them. Each person had two horses. Amidst the stunned faces of the common people, they swiftly rode out of the city gates. The iron pots from the Imperial Granary's suburban warehouse were to be transported to Datong Prefecture by Liang Menglong's men later, via the Taihang Mountains route.
...
Meanwhile,
Datong Prefecture, Huayan Temple.
The Princess Consort of Dai, Xiao Yuan Shi, who had just finished her Buddhist rites, was graceful and poised. She waved her hand, signaling her maids to retreat, and walked elegantly into a meditation room. In the room, two middle-aged men stood up immediately upon seeing the Princess Consort, while an old monk remained seated with his eyes closed.
"Yin'er...! Oh, no, Princess Consort... I am immensely grateful for your presence, Your Highness..."
The speaker was the man on the left. He was robust and carried an extraordinary aura, but upon seeing the Princess Consort, he suddenly became emotional, almost rushing forward. Then, realizing outsiders were present, he forcibly restrained himself, his chest heaving unevenly, clearly unable to control his emotions.
The Princess Consort blushed and turned her head away, remaining silent.
At this moment,
The old monk suddenly stood up and slowly walked out of the meditation room, saying leisurely, "Zhi'an, one must know that form is not different from emptiness, and emptiness is not different from form. When causes and conditions are understood, why cling to attachments? When you attain enlightenment, even beautiful women are but white bones..."
Upon hearing this, the Princess Consort's lips curved slightly, a fleeting expression of disdain crossing her face.
"Yes, Patriarch, your disciple understands."
Zhao Quan, the robust man, said this, and watched the old monk walk away. He then stared intently at the Princess Consort, who did not turn her face but lowered her eyes to let him look. The atmosphere became quite awkward.
The man on the right had a valiant appearance, with a full beard. He was a Hu, and he coughed lightly and bowed slightly, saying, "Princess Consort, may you be well. My father is extremely grateful for your message and has specially ordered me to come in person to express my thanks."
The Princess Consort of Dai also showed great respect to this man, curtsying gracefully and saying, "I also pay my respects to the Great Khan... The Great Khan sending Xin Ai Taiji personally to Datong this time shows his sincerity. The Prince is also very grateful..."
This Hu man, kuAiδugg
was Xin Ai, the eldest son of Altan Khan, who had been renowned for his bravery in battle since he was young. This time, he had come to discuss important matters, which involved great risk, and he was extremely cautious. He looked around through the window and quietly said to the robust man:
"Zhao Quan, is this Li Fuda's temple? Is it reliable?"
The robust man, Zhao Quan, replied, "Great Taiji, this is the ancestral temple of our Maitreya Sect. The old monk just now was Li Fuda... There are absolutely no problems here, Great Taiji, please rest assured."
Oh?
Xin Ai did not know that the old monk was the leader of the White Lotus Society, Li Fuda, who had caused earth-shattering changes in the past. He had thought he was some sort of hero, but to his surprise, he was now a frail old monk. A sudden wave of sadness washed over him, and he murmured:
"To think that a hero has grown old... You Han people often say that heroes are like beauties, not allowed to see old age in this world. How true these words are today..."
Zhao Quan smiled and said, "Great Taiji is the eagle of the grasslands. This is the time for you to spread your wings and soar. Your thousand-year achievements, restoring the former great unity, are already within reach. Why be disturbed by the twilight of age... Great Taiji, time is pressing, shall we discuss the main business first?"
Mm-hmm,
Xin Ai slowly sat down, pondered for a moment, and then looked at the Princess Consort with eyes as sharp as lightning, asking word by word:
"Princess Consort, is there someone missing here today? Where is the King of Raoyang? Why isn't he here?"
Seeing Xin Ai's expression change, Zhao Quan was about to retort, but unexpectedly, Xin Ai waved his hand, signaling him to remain silent.
The Princess Consort of Dai, however, smiled charmingly and said, "Since the situation has changed, we naturally must be more cautious..."
Hmph!
Xin Ai's expression changed, and he retorted, "What situation has changed?"
The Princess Consort of Dai smiled again and slowly said, "More than ten days ago, wasn't your Young Prince Han Na Ji captured alive by the Ming army? The Prince is worried whether you are still going to fight? If you really fight, what will happen to the Young Prince? This matter needs an explanation, doesn't it? Doesn't your Great Khan dote on this grandson the most..."
Hmph!
Xin Ai snorted in anger and said:
"The affairs of my Golden Clan do not require your concern! You should focus on your own tasks!"
"Oh..."
The Princess Consort of Dai suddenly giggled and said, "Isn't this me also caring about the Young Prince... The Prince originally wanted to save the Young Prince, which would have been a gesture of sincerity to the Great Khan. Unfortunately, it is this stubborn donkey Ma Fang who is venturing out this time, and the Prince can do nothing about it... Xin Ai Taiji, the Prince says that you should all keep this in mind. Whether to go ahead or not, it's best to make a decision today."
Xin Ai could not help but become furious, and he slammed the tea table, saying:
"Hmph! My father is saving you this time! You and the King of Raoyang, as well as Yan Song's cronies, should also keep this in mind. Zhu Mo's reforms are supported by your Emperor. Within three years, all you traitors will meet a miserable end. You should all keep this in mind!"
These words were sharp, but the Princess Consort of Dai and Zhao Quan were helpless.
Zhu Mo's actions of killing He Maocai, arresting Shen Cong, beating Yan Maoqing, and investigating Gao Hanwen first exposed the major case of collusion with the pirates, then cut off the financial lifeline of the Jiangnan gentry and merchants, and then seized Yan's official positions. All these actions rendered Yan Song unable to retaliate. The goal was obvious: to completely eradicate the officialdom established over twenty years.
The Princess Consort of Dai and Zhao Quan had also learned from Ge Jin and others that all these changes were related to a secret memorial submitted by Zhu Mo.
Now, many people were spreading rumors that the adopted grandson of the old eunuch Huang Zhong had seen that secret memorial in Yuxi Palace, which was said to emulate the Taizu, implement severe punishments, and bring about an era of Yao and Shun... The gentry and officials throughout the realm were extremely fearful. Even in border areas like the Nine Garrisons, people's hearts were quite restless. Everyone said that Zhu Mo would soon, like the Taizu, launch successive great purges, killing or exiling all Yan loyalists in the realm...
Thinking of this,
The Princess Consort of Dai finally softened, and said softly:
"Great Taiji, please calm your anger. Are we not also worried that things might not get done? Moreover, if we are all dead, won't Zhu Mo and the Emperor target you and the Great Khan next? I am merely an ignorant woman; all decisions must be made by you, Great Taiji..."
Mm,
Xin Ai finally let out a sigh and said:
"It is good that the Princess Consort understands... My father instructed me to clarify three questions. You will all listen carefully and answer truthfully. If there is any concealment, my father will not forgive it lightly!"
Zhao Quan and the Princess Consort of Dai immediately pricked up their ears to listen.