I have never seen such a shameless person!
Ding Wu wanted nothing more than to tear Zhao Quan apart with his bare hands, but maintained his composure: “The Sect Leader exhausts himself mentally and physically to feed the sect members—this subordinate admires you. However, the northwest borders have been scraped clean repeatedly, I’m afraid there’s not much oil left to squeeze. The wealthiest place in the realm is none other than the capital. This time, why doesn’t the Sect Leader lead An Da Khan’s army to attack the capital again? Even if we can’t take the capital, the suburbs alone would be enough to feed us, and it would recreate the Sect Leader’s glory from the Gengxu year.”
Ding Wu dared to incite Zhao Quan like this because An Da Khan had grown old. Having believed in Lamaism for years, his temperament was no longer as violent as before, and he was obsessed with his love for his young wife Third Madam, his fighting spirit not what it once was.
Though Zhao Quan might dare to speak of attacking the capital, the elderly An Da Khan might not dare to do it.
If An Da Khan truly had another fit of youthful madness and attacked the capital a second time, Ding Wu, as an inside agent, would definitely “properly” guide An Da Khan’s army—straight into Ming military ambushes.
Rather than let the Ming passively take beatings, better to lure the enemy into a trap, formulating plans for inside-outside coordination to lead An Da Khan’s army into a death sentence. For this, Ding Wu decided to risk his life. Only by dancing with wolves could he find the wolves’ weaknesses and kill them.
Zhao Quan was skeptical: “Do you really hate the Ming that much? You’ve served the Khan’s court for seven years but never followed the army to rob Ming territory.”
Ding Wu’s face showed disdain: “What glory is there in plundering from unarmed common people? I hate the Ming dynasty, not ordinary citizens. It was the court, the incompetent ruler, who killed my parents. If I don’t strike at the capital, how can I avenge my parents?”
Zhao Quan said: “The incompetent ruler is already dead. Now there’s some Longqing Emperor who gave many old officials rehabilitation and cleared their names upon taking the throne. They say he’s a wise ruler.”
Ding Wu laughed coldly: “The rehabilitation didn’t include my parents. Our Ding family are still prisoners.”
Actually, Emperor Longqing had wanted to rehabilitate Ding Wu’s father Ding Rukui, but Lu Ying secretly memorialized the emperor that Ding Wu was still undercover in enemy territory. If Ding Rukui were rehabilitated, Ding Wu’s loyalty would inevitably be questioned, putting him in danger. So Emperor Longqing held off, planning to rehabilitate the Ding family after Ding Wu completed his mission and returned to the capital.
Zhao Quan’s eyes were sharp as he asked: “Do you regret it now? If you had known earlier that the new ruler’s ascension would restore your Ding family’s former wealth and honor, would you still have defected from the Ming and sought refuge with An Da Khan?”
Ding Wu countered: “Does the Sect Leader regret guiding An Da Khan to attack the capital in the Gengxu year?”
Zhao Quan laughed heartily: “I never regret it—it’s the glory of my life. Are kings, dukes, generals, and ministers born to their positions? I, a common citizen, nearly toppled the Ming court, which gave me today’s fifty thousand White Lotus Sect followers and the thousand li of fertile land at Bansheng. My current life is comparable to a Ming prince.”
Ding Wu said: “I don’t regret it either. My goal is to destroy the Ming. Last time attacking the capital, the Sect Leader was the big winner. If this time the Sect Leader joins me in persuading An Da Khan to attack the capital again, who knows how much benefit could be gained? I want nothing—only the Ming’s destruction.”
What a madman! Zhao Quan watched Ding Wu warily: “Are you teaching me how to do things? I’m the Sect Leader, you’re a transmission leader. You need to understand your position!”
Ding Wu wasn’t afraid of Zhao Quan, snorting coldly: “I thought the Sect Leader was a hero with grand ambitions! I didn’t expect him to be a frog at the bottom of a well, content to guard fifty thousand followers and Bansheng land!”
Ding Wu stormed off, leaving Zhao Quan to ponder: Perhaps… it’s worth a try? The northwest borders have been thoroughly plucked by us with little oil left to squeeze. This year faces severe drought—what place could be richer than the capital?
Ding Wu returned to the Khan’s court to request an audience with Third Madam, saying he had important matters to report.
Third Madam Jin Ying granted the audience. She now enjoyed An Da Khan’s exclusive favor in the court, her position secure. The only awkward aspect was that she was nominally An Da Khan’s granddaughter.
Her father was both son-in-law and father-in-law; her mother was both daughter and mother-in-law. But under absolute power, no one dared mention this. Third Madam was the most noble woman in the Khan’s court.
In public, Third Madam appeared as a noblewoman wearing ox-horn headdresses, but privately she wore Taoist robes and silk headbands, dressing like a Ming woman—elegant and beautiful.
The elderly An Da Khan, like Emperor Jiajing, was enchanted by a young, beautiful woman, showering her with endless love and tolerance. Third Madam could dress however she pleased in private—as long as she was happy.
Ever since the White Lotus Sect cultivated wasteland at Bansheng and harvested grain, An Da Khan had settled down in Fengzhou, having the sect’s craftsmen build brick cities. He abandoned his great tent and constructed brick, stone, and wood palaces. Third Madam liked Central Plains high furniture—all desks, cases, and beds were identical to those in the Central Plains. An Da Khan satisfied all her requests.
Third Madam held a scroll, her gaze not leaving the book as she asked: “What do you wish to report?”
Ding Wu said: “Since spring began, the weather has been dry. The outer pastures and Bansheng fields have all suffered disaster. This year’s harvest will likely be poor. Today I tested Zhao Quan’s attitude—his meaning is that we’ll definitely go south hunting this year (meaning raiding). We might as well hunt the Central Plains’ biggest game—the capital—to recreate the Gengxu year’s glory. One hunt could feed us for several years.”
Zhao Quan: I didn’t, I didn’t say that, you’re lying!
But Third Madam wouldn’t hear Zhao Quan’s explanations.
Ding Wu stirred up trouble at the White Lotus Sect, then turned around to report Zhao Quan’s “crimes” to Third Madam. If An Da Khan truly led troops to attack the Ming capital again, it would be Zhao Quan’s doing, nothing to do with him.
So this was intelligence delivery. Third Madam finally looked up from her scroll: “Does the Great Khan know?”
Ding Wu said: “Upon learning this intelligence, I immediately came to inform the Khatan.”
Third Madam’s honorific title in the Khan’s court was Zhongjin Khatan.
Third Madam also knew this year’s drought was severe. If it continued without rain, autumn and winter warfare would be unavoidable.
Attacking the capital again… Third Madam thought of that bright-eyed youth in the capital. When the time came, each serving their master, they’d inevitably fight to the death.
Thinking of this, Third Madam felt troubled. She had lived in the capital for several years—that prosperous, fertile land was mostly inhabited by ordinary people living simple lives. When war came, they would be the first to die, while the powerful and noble had their own ways to survive.
Would this war truly never end?
Ding Wu returned and quickly sent another intelligence report saying An Da Khan might invade the capital again in autumn and winter. When that happened, he would transmit An Da Khan’s army intelligence. The Ming must prepare early and set traps.
In the Forbidden City, Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Zhu Xixiao received Ding Wu’s intelligence and rushed it to the imperial presence.
Emperor Longqing was diligent as emperor, handling myriad daily affairs, punctually attending morning court, meeting with ministers daily to discuss state affairs—completely different from his father who hadn’t held court for thirty-some years while pursuing immortality in seclusion. Seeing Ding Wu’s intelligence warning of impending crisis at the northwest borders, Emperor Longqing immediately summoned ministers to discuss countermeasures.
Emperor Longqing had just become emperor and hadn’t yet become a slick operator. He still cared about face, fearing a repeat of the Gengxu Rebellion that would make him an eternally infamous incompetent ruler: “…Dear ministers, what should be done?”
Nearly all ministers had experienced the Gengxu Rebellion and knew its dangers, immediately feeling fearful and offering strategies.
Chief Grand Secretary Xu Jie said: “The north lacks brave, skilled generals. Now that the southeast pirates have been pacified and maritime prohibitions lifted, the coastal region faces no major threats. I believe Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou should be transferred to the northwest to train troops and prepare for battle.”
Famous generals are forged in actual combat. In recent years, the names Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou had made even fierce pirates flee in terror, and both men’s backing was Xu Jie. Besides protecting the northwest, Xu Jie was also providing his people with excellent opportunities to build merit and careers.
Grand Secretary Gao Gong said: “Though southeast coastal pirates are pacified, hidden dangers remain. Moreover, Yuegang, the first port where maritime prohibitions were lifted, is still being established. If pirates or bandits cause trouble, it would affect the maritime prohibition lifting and ruin everything. I suggest transferring only one of Qi Jiguang or Yu Dayou to the northwest, leaving at least one famous general to guard the southeast.”
Xu Jie was Chief Grand Secretary of two dynasties and the victor who brought down Yan Song in court struggles. But Gao Gong was Emperor Longqing’s teacher and lecturer at Prince Yu’s residence.
Emperor Longqing ultimately chose to trust his teacher Gao Gong’s judgment, appointing Qi Jiguang to guard the northwest frontier while Yu Dayou remained in the southeast.
Seeing Gao Gong oppose him and win the emperor’s favor with his own suggestion being adopted, Xu Jie was displeased: I’m the Chief Grand Secretary—don’t I deserve face?
Gao Gong felt: You were Chief Grand Secretary during Jiajing’s reign; I’m the current emperor’s teacher. One dynasty’s emperor, one dynasty’s officials. According to cabinet unwritten rules, when dynasties change, the Chief Grand Secretary should be replaced by the emperor’s confidant. You saw today how the emperor accepted my suggestion.
If you were sensible, you’d resign and return home, retreat at the height of success, yield position to the worthy. I’d protect your wealth and honor. But you show no intention of resigning, stubbornly refusing to leave, truly an eyesore. Must I, Gao Gong, personally push you out?
The two cabinet ministers each had their calculations. For power, they began open and covert struggles. Coincidentally, the first year of Longqing faced the triennial capital evaluation. The two used this evaluation to mutually eliminate each other’s followers. Bloody factional struggles in court were about to begin.
But these are stories for later.
Qi Jiguang received transfer orders and immediately headed northwest to prepare resistance against An Da Khan’s army. Emperor Longqing remained uneasy, summoning Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Zhu Xixiao for consultation:
“Embroidered Uniform Guard intelligence is too important. If fighting truly breaks out, An Da Khan has White Lotus Sect guides while we have Embroidered Uniform Guard intelligence to break situations and set ambushes. The battle between our armies is actually an intelligence war between White Lotus Sect and Embroidered Uniform Guard. Quickly increase personnel and secret agents to the Khan’s court and northwest. This time, we must win. We cannot let An Da Khan approach the city walls again—otherwise, how could I face my imperial ancestors?”
Having become emperor, Emperor Longqing made all policies opposite to his father Emperor Jiajing, looking down on his pill-refining father and feeling superior.
His father lost to An Da Khan—he definitely couldn’t lose! Otherwise, what difference would there be between him and his father? He must surpass his father and ruthlessly crush him underfoot!
The emperor made his demand, and Zhu Xixiao quickly offered his solution: “Those who’ve dealt most with the White Lotus Sect over the years are Lu Ying and Wang Daxia. Ding Wu’s successful infiltration of the Khan’s court was also their joint performance of the self-harm stratagem. Sending them to establish spy networks in the northwest to gather intelligence—with them there, it will surely be twice as effective with half the effort.”
Emperor Longqing was very familiar with these two names. When Prince Jing had used Hei Yi and the White Lotus Sect to assassinate him at the former Prince Yu’s residence, these two Embroidered Uniform Guards had killed Hei Yi and exposed the conspiracy.
These were two blessed generals—nothing they couldn’t accomplish. Emperor Longqing agreed.
When receiving orders, Wang Daxia was on extended leave, boating with his newlywed wife Wei Caiwei. They had moved out of the Wang residence to their new home at Shichahai—a single courtyard where they lived freely and at ease. The newlywed couple boated on the lotus pond in their courtyard, Wei Caiwei with pants rolled to her knees, sitting at the bow with her calves underwater.
Wang Daxia dove underwater, tickling her slightly upturned toes with his hands. Wei Caiwei laughingly dodged, kicking at his hands with her feet, but Wang Daxia caught her bare foot and dragged her into the water.
Wei Caiwei was pulled underwater. This summer, her husband had finally taught her to hold her breath and swim. Swimming Shichahai would be difficult, but swimming their home pond was no problem. Two figures entangled in the water, inseparable as glue.
Lu Ying, having received orders, came to find her old partner and witnessed this scene of mandarin ducks swimming in the mandarin duck pond.