Chapter 131: Anxiety
Shopkeeper Ye San hesitated for a moment before carefully saying, "Ninth Master also mentioned that no matter how chaotic things get outside, unless it's a dynastic overthrow, the capital will remain untouched. He wants you to stay in the capital with peace of mind!"
Fu Tingyun was stunned.
This was a matter of nine familial exterminations—Zhao Ling had actually informed Shopkeeper Ye San in advance!
Did he trust Shopkeeper Ye San to such an extent?
She stared blankly at Shopkeeper Ye San, momentarily forgetting her tears.
Shopkeeper Ye San gave a bitter smile and said, "At first, I didn’t understand what Ninth Master meant by those words. But now, thinking back, it makes sense."
"What do you mean?" Fu Tingyun pressed urgently.
"Those words were part of a verbal message Ninth Master had someone relay to me. At the time, I found it odd and thought it was just comforting words to reassure you about staying in the capital," Shopkeeper Ye San mused. "This year, Huguang had a bumper harvest of grain, yet the grain transport was much quieter than usual. Moreover, someone was purchasing grain in Zhejiang and shipping it to Huguang. Our family head found it strange and suspected there might be an issue with our Datong Company’s business in Huguang, so he sent two capable elders to investigate the Huguang branch. Just six days ago, the family head received news—Prince Mu has rebelled. That’s when I realized the true meaning behind Ninth Master’s message..."
Fu Tingyun was drenched in cold sweat. "Rebelled... truly, rebelled..." She looked at Shopkeeper Ye San, her eyes filled with terror.
Shopkeeper Ye San’s face was also pale. His lips trembled for a long moment before he finally just nodded.
What if they failed?
Under the vast sky, every inch of land belonged to the emperor. Once the emperor purged the realm, Zhao Ling, as a rebel, would be hunted down by all—where could he possibly take refuge?
The thought of failure twisted Fu Tingyun’s heart like a knife, and tears began to fall once more.
Wasn’t he serving under Marquis Yingchuan? How did he end up in Huguang? He was just a lowly centurion, temporarily acting as chiliarch of Nianbo Garrison—what could he possibly do? And what about Mo Yi? He claimed to be visiting his grandmother for her birthday—was that truly the case, or was it just an excuse to assist Sixteenth Master? No, it was clear now—Sixteenth Master was none other than Prince Mu, who governed Huguang. Had Mo Yi really gone home to visit family, or was he there to carry out tasks for Prince Mu? And what about Marquis Yingchuan? He was the emperor’s brother-in-law—why would he side with outsiders instead of his own kin? Did Zhao Ling go to Huguang on Marquis Yingchuan’s orders, or was it Mo Yi’s invitation? Or perhaps Sixteenth Master himself had sent him a message?
He was so clever—why couldn’t he just stay as acting chiliarch of Nianbo Garrison? Why take such a risk that could cost him his head?
The more she thought about it, the less she understood, and the more unsettled she became.
Shopkeeper Ye couldn’t help but console her, "Miss Fu, you’re an intelligent person. Since Ninth Master sent you to the capital early, he must have intended to keep you out of this mess. Perhaps he even planned for a place of refuge should things go awry. Right now, you mustn’t lose your composure—otherwise, all of Ninth Master’s efforts would be in vain."
Fu Tingyun shuddered at his words.
Zhao Ling had always been one to prepare for rainy days. He had entrusted her with all their family’s assets to bring to the capital—surely, he had other plans as well.
Just like before, when he had bought a house in Willow Lane long in advance.
Thinking of this, she wiped her tears with a handkerchief and tried her best to steady her emotions.
Shopkeeper Ye San, meanwhile, sighed heavily.When Zhao Ling had unhesitatingly saved him back then, he knew that despite his youth, this young man was anything but ordinary. Given time, he might well become another Marquis Yingchuan. Yet he never imagined Zhao Ling would take such a daring gamble.
One moment leaping through the dragon’s gate, the next plummeting into the underworld.
Truly decisive in slaughter and judgment!
Coming from a merchant family, he understood all too well that merchants held lowly status. Without the backing of high-ranking officials, no matter how capable one was, they could only ever be a peddler traveling north and south. The Ye family’s rise to prominence was due to an ancestor who had once, by chance, saved the life of a Presented Scholar. Since then, for any Ye descendant vying for the position of family head, the foremost requirement was business acumen, followed closely by the ability to engage with high-ranking officials.
He believed he had the talent for business, but lacked the opportunity his eldest cousin had—stationed long-term at the capital branch, mingling with court officials. Though somewhat anxious, he wasn’t desperate, thinking himself still young with time for chances.
But after the caravan was looted and he barely made it back to the Ye family alive, after rounds of struggles and contests, he was ultimately sent to the capital to assist his eldest cousin with internal affairs—effectively pinning the blame for the caravan’s loss on him. He knew then that his chance to compete for the family headship was gone.
Yet now, another opportunity lay before him.
And it was the only one left...
Shopkeeper Ye San’s mind suddenly flashed with Zhao Ling’s youthful, handsome face and those cold, star-like eyes.
If even he dared, what did he have to fear?
Shopkeeper Ye San couldn’t help but feel eager, lowering his voice solemnly: "Miss Fu, in recent years, the late emperor’s reliance on eunuchs and the Tengji Guard has corrupted court affairs and undermined discipline. The Huguang matter may not reach the capital anytime soon, and even if it does, how the court responds will likely depend on Hong Du’s will. These days, it’s best for you to stay behind closed doors and wait calmly."
Fu Tingyun was startled: "How could this be? This is outright rebellion..."
Shopkeeper Ye San replied, "Otherwise, how could it be said that court affairs are corrupted and discipline undermined?"
Fu Tingyun fell silent.
Shopkeeper Ye San didn’t linger long and soon took his leave: "I’ll inform you immediately if there’s any news."
The next day, he sent over several bushels of rice and flour.
Only then did Fu Tingyun grasp Shopkeeper Ye San’s thoughtful intentions.
Once war broke out, food would become scarce—so he was likely seizing the chance to trade in grain.
She promptly instructed Zheng Sanniang and Yu Wei to pickle vegetables and stock up on oil, salt, vinegar, and firewood. Meanwhile, her neighbors were still caught up in mixed emotions over the new emperor’s ascension—some busily running about day and night, others gathering to scheme—as if no one noticed the unusual activities in her household.
Fu Tingyun quietly sighed in relief.
But this respite didn’t last long.
On the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month, Prince Mu raised his banner in Huguang under the slogan "Execute Hong and Shi, Purge the Emperor’s Entourage." By the time the formal declaration reached the capital, Prince Mu’s forces had already arrived at Xinxiang in Henan.
The capital was in an uproar, and the court only reacted the next day, ordering Wu Bingcheng, commander of the Five Armies Commandery, to bear the general’s seal as chief military officer, with Hong Du’s adopted son Yan Fu as supervisor, leading the thirteen capital guards into battle. They also commanded Shaanxi’s commander Li Rujin and Henan’s commander Deng Zhong to assist Wu Bingcheng in the campaign.Shopkeeper Ye San quietly informed Fu Tingyun, "The Shaanxi Regional Military Commission is holding its troops in place, while the Henan Regional Military Commission is avoiding battle. That Wu Bingcheng has the nickname 'Bear Paw Commander'—he was originally the commander of Tieling Guard and got promoted to the Five Armies Commandery by sending bear paws to Hong Du. He might be good at hunting bears, but when it comes to warfare, he's probably not up to the task."
"Amitabha!" Fu Tingyun clasped her hands together. "Let's hope so."
Shopkeeper Ye San noticed three strings of Gaharu beads wrapped around her wrist.
Following his gaze, Fu Tingyun explained, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop. I recite scriptures when I have nothing else to do."
She must be praying for Zhao Ling!
Shopkeeper Ye San smiled knowingly and then brought up the grain trade again. "It's not too late to start now."
Fu Tingyun wasn’t in the mood and politely declined.
Shopkeeper Ye San didn’t press further.
A few days later, Prince Mu's troops passed through Luancheng.
"How did they get here so fast?"
"Weren’t they still in Xinxiang?"
"What were Li Rujin and Deng Xiao doing?"
The people of the capital sat in teahouses, buzzing with speculation.
Fu Tingyun was secretly alarmed.
From the looks of it, Deng Xiao, the Regional Military Commander of Henan, might also have ties to Prince Mu.
Just how much had this Prince Mu planned?
And who else was involved?
Compared to the outside, the atmosphere in Shi Family Alley was noticeably tense.
Zheng Sanniang told Fu Tingyun, "Madam Wu from across the street has been visiting Madam Ji, who lives in Bensi Alley, every day these past few days. I heard Madam Ji is also from Zhoushan."
In times like these, nothing brings people closer than shared hometown roots.
Fu Tingyun thought of her mother in Four Happiness Alley and resented her father’s heartlessness, stewing in frustration for half the day.
The maids from the Li family, unaware of the situation, saw Fu Tingyun standing alone under the eaves with a troubled expression and tried to cheer her up. "There’s a dragon boat race at the West Garden, miss. Why not go watch? It’s quite lively."
Fu Tingyun was shocked. "They’re still holding dragon boat races this year?"
"Why wouldn’t they?" the two maids laughed. "With the new emperor’s ascension, it should be even livelier than usual." They seemed utterly oblivious to the turmoil.
Fu Tingyun was speechless.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, Dingzhou fell to Prince Mu’s forces. The prefect of Dingzhou died in battle, the Left and Right Guards of the capital’s thirteen garrisons were annihilated, and the Front Guard suffered over fifty percent casualties.
Only then did the capital show signs of panic.
Early one morning, Zheng San was sweeping the courtyard when he saw seven or eight carriages lined up in front of the Wu residence. The Wu family’s steward hurried over to explain, "Our madam and young mistresses are going to the Guanyue Nunnery outside the city to offer incense."
"The weather is cool today—perfect for a morning trip," Zheng San chatted amiably with the steward but noticed servants loading trunks into the carriages.
He reported this to Fu Tingyun.
"Could they be fleeing?" Fu Tingyun wondered silently. "But their master is the Vice Minister of Rites!" She instructed Yu Wei to keep an eye out.
The Wu family’s women never returned.
Fu Tingyun sighed.
By the time Fu Tingyun’s birthday came around, Prince Mu’s troops had taken Baoding Prefecture.
On the twenty-fourth day of the fifth month, Prince Mu’s forces joined Wu Bingcheng’s troops in Zhuozhou and dealt a crushing defeat to the Capital Garrison. Wu Bingcheng died in battle, and Yan Fu fled back to the capital.
The emperor was furious. He executed Yan Fu and summoned the Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of War for counsel.
Shen Shichong proposed appointing Vice Minister of War Chen Qingxiao as the new general to replace Wu Bingcheng.
The emperor agreed and ordered troops from Shanxi, Shandong, and Liaodong to march to the capital in defense.
Before these reinforcements could arrive, on the fourteenth day of the sixth month, the capital was besieged.The capital was thrown into chaos. Rice became more precious than gold, with frequent robberies of shops, silver houses, and wealthy officials' residences, yet no one was there to maintain order, leaving everyone in fear.
Fu Tingyun gathered all their belongings in the back room and had everyone move there to stay. Zheng San patrolled with A Sen during the day, while Master Lu was responsible for going out to gather news.
Some said Prince Mu lacked sufficient troops and relied solely on the speed of his cavalry to achieve victories, fighting his way all the way to the capital. Now that he had reached the capital, where the soldiers were strong and horses sturdy, his cavalry advantage had vanished. The Shaanxi Regional Military Commission's forces had already reached Xinle, temporarily cutting off Prince Mu's retreat, and his defeat was imminent. Others claimed that Deng Xiao of the Henan Regional Military Commission had pledged allegiance to Prince Mu, leading Henan's troops to block Shaanxi's forces at Xinle, and that it was Henan's troops fighting against Shaanxi's.
There were all sorts of rumors, making it impossible to distinguish truth from falsehood or predict the outcome.
Yet there was still no news from the Shaanxi or Guangdong Regional Military Commissions.
Both the western and southern fronts remained eerily silent.
Fu Tingyun set up a statue of Sakyamuni and offered incense to the Bodhisattva morning, noon, and night.
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Finally finished writing the battle chapters, no need to research this topic anymore...(>_
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