Chapter 729

Chapter 736 Good Intentions (Part 2)

Lady Eleven hesitated for a long time before finally letting out a soft sigh in her heart. She gently said to Princess Jiangdu, "Such important matters are always decided by Marquis Xu. I think we must discuss it with him first..." She looked very troubled.

Princess Jiangdu couldn't help but grow anxious. "Aunt-in-law, this is not the time to be virtuous. You must know, such an opportunity is truly rare. If we miss this chance, there won't be another." She added, "Third Imperial Sister-in-Law said that as long as you agree, we will go and speak with Third Imperial Brother. The Ministry of War's personnel assignment documents have already been issued. By the time Uncle finds out, it will be too late for him to do anything!"

Lady Eleven was genuinely grateful.

She took Princess Jiangdu's hand. "Jin Geer is truly fortunate to have you all. But this matter is of great importance. Without Marquis Xu's approval, I dare not agree." Princess Jiangdu's joy gradually faded, replaced by disappointment. She said reluctantly, "Jin Geer has helped us a lot too, Aunt-in-law. You don't need to take it to heart." She stood up to take her leave. Lady Eleven felt even worse and escorted Princess Jiangdu to the door. "Prince Yong and Your Highness's kindness, I understand. When Marquis Xu returns from the palace, I will discuss it properly with him."

Princess Jiangdu nodded listlessly and left for home.

Around lantern-lighting time, Marquis Xu had finally returned.

Lady Eleven, upon hearing the news, went out to greet him.

Under the glow of the red lanterns, his expression was solemn and stern.

Lady Eleven curtsied in greeting without saying a word, welcoming Marquis Xu back inside. She silently helped him change into his casual silk robe and served him tea.

Marquis Xu's gaze had been fixed on Lady Eleven since he entered the room, following her as she moved about. Now that she had stopped, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a somewhat bitter smile.

Lady Eleven did not press him, instead asking cheerfully, "Have you eaten, Marquis Xu? If not, shall I go to the kitchen and make you a bowl of assorted noodles?"

"Alright!" Marquis Xu agreed immediately, as if relieved.

What had happened? He actually seemed afraid she would ask... Lady Eleven's thoughts churned as she made the noodles.

Had the Emperor suddenly decided to put him back in command? Even if that were the case, he wouldn't need to be afraid of her asking. He was the head of the household; not to mention matters of the court, even if the family were to acquire someone else's shop, by rights he wouldn't need to discuss it with her... Unless it was about Jin Geer... Aside from matters concerning their son, she couldn't think of anything else that would make Marquis Xu feel so uneasy facing her.

Once this thought occurred to her, her heart grew troubled.

What could have happened to Jin Geer?

Hadn't he sent several people to secretly follow him?

How could something have gone wrong?

Lost in thought, she quickly sprinkled some chopped scallions on the noodles and brought them over.

Marquis Xu sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed) and ate two bowls in a row before putting down his chopsticks.

Lady Eleven personally attended to him as he rinsed his mouth and washed his hands.

Given the current chaotic situation, she knew he had returned from the palace but hadn't asked a single word... Over all these years, if he didn't speak, she wouldn't ask. She did whatever he told her without ever doubting him, trusting him wholeheartedly... Thinking of this, Marquis Xu suddenly felt his eyes grow slightly moist.

He pulled Mo Yan back just as she was about to pour him more tea.

"Mo Yan, the four hundred thousand troops have not only mobilized all the forces from Shandong and Shanxi but have even drawn partial forces from Liaodong and Zhejiang, which are under the Left Army Chief Military Command, as well as from Baoding and Wanquan, which are under the Rear Army Chief Military Command. Although the Emperor favors Ouyang Ming to lead the army, Ouyang Ming has never independently commanded troops in battle. The Emperor is uncertain, so he specifically summoned me to the palace to ask if Ouyang Ming is up to the task!"

If his answer had aligned with the Emperor's wishes, why would he need to explain it to her in such detail? Lady Eleven looked at his large hand gripping hers tightly and said solemnly, "Who did you recommend to the Emperor, Marquis Xu?"

Mo Yan, is a very clever person!

Marquis Xu lowered his eyelids. "Regional Commander Gong Dongning of Guizhou!"

Lady Eleven was shocked. "What does this have to do with Jin Geer?"

"According to the Ministry of War's records, he is stationed at the Pingyi Battalion of the Puan Guard in Guizhou," Marquis Xu's voice was low. "If Gong Dongning is appointed General Pingxi, the Ministry of War, considering balance, will certainly have Gong Dongning lead the troops from the Guizhou Regional Military Commission north. Everyone knows Jin Geer is my son. If he remains in Guizhou at this time, it would be seen as weak, cowardly and shirking duties during a national crisis. His reputation would be utterly destroyed, and it would affect his career prospects—just think, who would want to entrust important tasks to someone who shirks responsibility in times of trouble!"

Hearing the persuasive tone in his words, Elevenniang took a deep breath, forcing the feeling from her mind, and said calmly, "Now that Xuantong has fallen and Datong is hanging by a thread, Guizhou is thousands of miles away. Even if the Emperor heeds your suggestion, it is unlikely that Gong Dongning will be summoned to the capital or Guizhou troops mobilized north at this moment. Moreover, Ouyang Ming was a minister left by the previous emperor to assist the current one and is deeply trusted by the Emperor. Under these circumstances, the Emperor is unlikely to agree to your recommendation. What exactly are you worried about, Lord Xu?" Before she finished speaking, a sudden realization struck her, and she exclaimed, "That day when the Emperor summoned you to the palace and sought your counsel, did he already ask you to recommend a commander for the western campaign?"

Lord Xu remained silent; his silence said it all.

So that was it!

He should have recommended Gong Dongning at that time but remained silent out of concern for Jin Geer. Now, with Xuantong fallen, Fan Weigang missing, the Tartars advancing toward Datong, and the people of both places displaced... he felt responsible, hence his restlessness and sleepless nights! Elevenniang’s eyes suddenly filled with tears.

Everyone has their bottom line.

Just like her—though she knew that accepting Prince Yong and Princess Jiangdu’s goodwill might smooth the way for Jin Geer, the thought of her son getting ahead at others' expense made it impossible for her to accept, let alone enjoy it.

Lord Xu must feel the same way.

Putting Gong Dongning in charge could either swiftly end the war or make things worse. Since it was a decision he hadn’t made, he couldn’t help but imagine the best outcome, and the more he thought about it, the more he regretted it...

"Xu Lingyi!" Elevenniang called his name softly, kneeling down in front of him and gazing into his eyes. "Has the Emperor agreed to appoint Gong Dongning? With things so desperate, is it possible for Gong Dongning to come to the capital alone?"

"The Emperor hasn’t agreed," Lord Xu said, pulling her up and holding her in his arms. "But I have a bad feeling. Since the Tartars have gathered forces from over a dozen tribes to launch this full-scale invasion, it’s unlikely they have only this many troops. Where are the others? Could another tribal leader have led a separate force to invade from Ganzhou? If so, once Ganzhou falls, Datong will be attacked from both front and rear. If we win, the crisis will ease; if we lose, Yanjing could fall. The Ministry of War would have no choice but to mobilize troops from Sichuan and Guizhou to suppress them..."

Elevenniang’s face gradually paled: "So, according to your prediction, there’s an eight or nine out of ten chance this will happen?"

Jin Geer would have to follow them into battle!

Lord Xu didn’t answer directly but said, "Ding Zhi, the Regional Commander of Sichuan, is set in his ways and plays favorites. If he were appointed as the commander of the Right Military Commission, he would likely send the Guizhou Regional Military Commission’s troops to the front lines. Unfortunately, Gong Dongning cares deeply for his soldiers and would inevitably butt heads with him. Before the battle even begins, they would be in disarray..." He sighed softly. "Although Minister Lu is good at buttering up his bosses, he also has some determination. If such a situation arises, coupled with my recommendation, he would surely strive to have Gong Dongning appointed as the commander of the Right Military Commission to lead the right army..."

His gaze fixed ahead, as if seeing right through the mountains and rivers to the northwestern hills and valleys. Elevenniang was momentarily speechless.

If Gong Dongning succeeded, everything would work out. But if he failed, as the recommender, Lord Xu would bear joint responsibility.

Under these circumstances, Minister Lu would undoubtedly push for this—if he recommended Ding Zhi and the battle was lost, he would be held responsible. But if Gong Dongning became the commander of the Right Military Commission, he could avoid the responsibility of recommendation and also earn Lord Xu’s favor. Why wouldn’t he do it?

"What should we do then?" Elevenniang looked at Lord Xu pleadingly.

"I hope I’m just imagining things," Lord Xu said with a bitter smile, his tone distant. "Maybe the Tartars don’t have that many troops."

He probably didn’t believe it himself; otherwise, he wouldn’t have spoken in such a tone.

The room fell into silence once more.

A servant announced from outside the curtain, "My lord, Manager Zhao is here to see you!"

Lord Xu held Elevenniang tightly and smiled reassuringly. "Let’s not speculate blindly here. Perhaps Ouyang Ming is like me—a military genius who comes along once in a lifetime? Back then, the commanders of the Five Military Commissions viewed me just as I view Ouyang Ming today!"

Elevenniang couldn’t manage a smile but still said as gently as possible, "It’s so late. Manager Zhao must have urgent business. You should go quickly, my lord."

Mo Yan was not one to take rumors at face value; she wouldn’t rest until she saw progress.

For the first time, Lord Xu resented her rationality.

But for now, he could only say softly, "I’ll be back soon," before turning and leaving the inner chamber.

Elevenniang felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

Ouyang Ming commanded four hundred thousand troops—they outnumber them four to one. Even if they fought a battle of numbers, they could defeat the Tartars... If Ouyang Ming achieved a great victory, even if a Tartar force had infiltrated Ganzhou, it would be useless... Ouyang Ming would only need to deploy troops south... Gong Dongning would naturally not be needed, and Jin Geer could continue farming in Shiyang and mining in Yiping!

Though she thought this, Lord Xu’s analysis kept flashing through her mind, making her restless.

She knew it was because she trusted Lord Xu’s abilities too much and believed deeply in his words, yet she couldn’t let go of her worries.

Facts are the only criterion for testing the truth. For now, all they could do was wait for battle reports from Datong!

With these thoughts, Elevenniang had no mind to wonder why Lord Xu had returned so late after midnight, nor did she care if he would be disturbed. She tossed and turned, and only finally caught some sleep as dawn broke.

Xu Sizhun and Jiang Shi came to see them. Xu Sizhun sought Lord Xu’s advice: "The price of rice in the city has risen to eight taels per dan, and it looks like it will keep increasing. Our family owns two rice shops in the city, right? I was thinking of closing them. This way, we’ll have enough rice at home, and if any relatives or friends are in difficulty, we can offer some assistance to help everyone through these hard times!"