When words don’t match intentions, even half a sentence is too much. Both sides had reached an impasse with nothing left to discuss. Ming’er Han shouted loudly: “Get lost!” The envoy sighed and said: “Go fuck your mother, you mongrel bastard – say two fewer words, it’s not so noisy.” The two foreign women were stunned: “What? You dare curse at people?” Just as they were about to strike, Lu Guzhan blocked them: “Wait.”

The two foreign women stepped back as they heard Lu Guzhan say softly: “Show everything else you know.”

The envoy nodded and took out two paper slips, presenting them with both hands: “Bright dark bright, long short long, white gold red. Please examine them, Master Lu.” Ming’er Han snatched them and cried out in shock: “This… this is our Angry Cang beacon order! Where did you steal this from?”

The envoy said: “To tell the truth, these two beacon orders are extremely strange. Though the Ministry of War has deciphered the text, they still can’t understand the mystery. This humble official can only follow orders to seek Master Lu’s guidance.” Ming’er Han sneered: “Dream on – who would tell you military secrets?”

The envoy said: “Go fuck your mother, you mongrel bastard – say two fewer words, it’s not so noisy.” Ming’er Han jumped up in anger: “Cursing again?” Just as she was about to hit him, Lu Guzhan sighed: “I have to hand it to you – the Ministry of War also decoded this second beacon order?”

The two foreign women were stunned, only now understanding the mystery – that crude phrase wasn’t cursing but was actually the dignified Angry Cang beacon order.

The envoy coughed: “In response to Master Lu, this first order was already bizarre and embarrassing, but the second order is even more improper. I must first ask the two young ladies to step aside to avoid being scolded.” Ming’er Han said angrily: “Step aside for what? Just say it!” A’Qing Han also said: “Right, what crude language haven’t we heard? Speak quickly!”

The envoy said: “The Loyalist Army’s young master—” The tent fell quiet. Hearing the words “young master,” everyone’s breathing quickened as they heard the envoy say in a low voice: “The young master went whoring and hasn’t returned yet.” Everyone was astonished when suddenly a rapid burst of foreign language erupted as the two foreign women cursed angrily: “What whoring! This isn’t a beacon order at all! You’re making things up to deceive people!”

The envoy smiled bitterly: “Master Lu, please see for yourself. This humble official knew this would earn scolding. I think it’s better to ask the Angry King himself to come out and explain – would that be acceptable?” Lu Guzhan said: “The Angry King won’t see you.”

The envoy laughed: “Right, right, look at my memory – the young master went whoring and hasn’t returned yet!” At these words, everyone in the tent coughed once and fell silent.

No matter how absurd this beacon order was, it had proven one thing – the Angry King was not in the army. Whatever he had gone to do, the old man simply wasn’t home. Lu Guzhan sighed softly: “Honored Envoy, show your trump card.”

The envoy smiled: “Since that’s the case, this humble official won’t be polite. Minister Ma said that in the court’s eyes, your mountain is sharp as a blade – the Twin Heroes, Three Champions, Four Recruiters are invincible in battle and siege, with no flaws. But if someone throws down their burden and quits—” He smiled and took out a piece of cloth from his bosom – it was the court’s sun and moon flag. “My lord has already set conditions for withdrawal. If your side agrees to the request, please raise this flag here, and Minister Ma will naturally send an envoy to pay respects.”

Seeing Lu Guzhan silently take the sun and moon flag, the two foreign women cried out in shock and anger: “Master Lu! You absolutely mustn’t listen to him! General Qin will be back soon! This man was sent by the court to deceive us—”

In their anxiety, Lu Guzhan had already thrown the cloth flag into the fire: “Go back and tell Ma Renjie – no need to persuade surrender, and don’t send any more envoys. Unless His Majesty leaves the city to meet, I absolutely will not see anyone else.” The two foreign women breathed a sigh of relief, but the envoy said with a cold laugh: “Master Lu! The lives of tens of thousands rest on your shoulders – you absolutely cannot act on impulse. For these peace talks, my lord even suppressed these two beacon orders to prevent the war faction from gaining power. Please think deeply about this intention—”

He was about to continue persuading when hurried footsteps came from outside the tent, and a soldier rushed in with an urgent report: “Report to Master Lu! The guards this envoy brought somehow started fighting with our people – please come out and see quickly!”

Everyone was shocked and rose to leave the tent, only to see thousands of disaster victims wielding clubs surrounding and attacking a group of officials – all the guard troops the envoy had brought, already beaten bloody. Lu Guzhan said flatly: “Ming’er, A’Qing, make them stop.” The two foreign women rushed forward urgently shouting: “Stop! Everyone stop!”

The disaster victims were extremely angry and wouldn’t listen to commands. The envoy ran out of the tent himself, rushing to the victims with arms spread wide, shouting: “Beat them well! Beat them well! Quickly beat these officials to death! Life and death are thrown to the wind anyway – the treacherous ministers in court have long wanted an excuse to kill you! Beat quickly! Beat all of us envoys to death! Then the treacherous ministers will win!”

These words were very powerful. The disaster victims heard them and immediately someone cried out in surprise and put down their clubs. Many fierce fighters still wanted to fight but were held back by companions nearby. Lu Guzhan smiled slightly: “Everyone step back.”

Seeing Master Lu arrive, the disaster victims heard his voice and retreated, clearing a large space. In a moment, the officials in the field were in a sorry state, all having been severely beaten. The envoy quickly said: “Is everyone alright?” The officials hung their heads with tears, seeing enemies watching like tigers all around, not daring to make a sound. Lu Guzhan said: “Ming’er, A’Qing, escort these people out – don’t let anyone make things difficult for them.”

The two foreign women shouted loudly: “Why don’t you leave quickly?” This group of officials were neither Zhengtong Army nor Loyalist Army, but all Ministry of War direct subordinates – how could they withstand such fright? For a moment they staggered, unable even to stand up.

The envoy was in no hurry to leave, only sighing: “Master Lu, you ultimately won’t give Minister Ma this face?” Lu Guzhan said: “This is called each having their own aspirations – it can’t be forced.” The envoy was silent for a long moment, cupped his hands, and was about to leave with the others when Lu Guzhan said: “Honored Envoy, wait a moment.” The envoy’s face showed joy: “Has Master Lu had a change of heart?”

Lu Guzhan smiled slightly: “Earlier when the honored envoy entered the tent and gave his name, was your surname Yang?” The envoy cupped his hands: “This humble official’s surname is indeed Yang – what instruction does Master Lu have?” Lu Guzhan said: “I wouldn’t dare instruct. It’s just that seeing the honored envoy’s courage and eloquence, you must be a first-class figure in the court, but I wonder which among the Ministry of War’s civilian staff has such ability?”

The envoy cupped his hands: “The most insignificant Counselor of the Ministry of War – Yang Shaoqi.” Lu Guzhan cried out: “So it’s Second Master Yang! ‘Dragon brother, tiger brother’ – truly not an empty reputation.” The two foreign women said in confusion: “Second Master Yang? He… he is—” Lu Guzhan said: “This Second Master Yang is the blood brother of Yang Suguan of Zhongji Hall – Yang Shaoqi.”