Chapter 732

Chapter 739: Taking Chestnuts (Part 2)

On May 20th, Gong Dongning and Ouyang Ming converged their armies; on May 22nd, Gong Dongning officially took over the military authority from Ouyang Ming; Ouyang Ming led ten thousand soldiers and retreated to the Datong garrison near Yanjing (Beijing); on May 25th, Gong Dongning reorganized his troops and led an army of 120,000 to lay siege to Xuantong City; on May 27th, Gong Dongning ordered the attack on the city; on May 26th, Xuantong City fell, resulting in the capture of over 30,000 Tartars and the killing of more than 9,000 enemy soldiers. Over 3,000 horses were seized. However, the Tartar leader Duoyan fled northwest under the protection of a thousand cavalry. Despite this, when the news arrived, the court and common people rejoiced. Ministers submitted petitions one after another, petitioning for Gong Dongning's promotion and ennoblement, and suggesting that he present the captives at the Meridian Gate to showcase the might of the Da Zhou dynasty.

"So it seems the war is basically over!" Lady Eleven put down her needlework and smiled at Marquis Xu. "Jin'er will soon be able to return to the capital."

"If the Emperor approves Gong Dongning presenting the captives at the Meridian Gate, Jin'er will definitely follow him back. Whether he camps outside the city or enters the city with Gong Dongning is uncertain. But no matter what, meeting him quietly shouldn’t be a problem..." Marquis Xu was also in high spirits. As he spoke, he sat down beside Lady Eleven and glanced at the white silk stretched on the embroidery frame. "This embroidered panel has been in the works for many years, hasn’t it? How is it still not finished?"

"I do a few stitches whenever I have time!" Lady Eleven replied with a light smile.

Marquis Xu found it familiar but didn’t pay it much mind. He picked up the half-drunk teacup Lady Eleven had been drinking from and took a sip. "I used to think Gong Dongning was just brave and skilled in battle, but it turns out the fellow is quite clever," he remarked with some emotion.

Knowing her son was safe and sound, and that Gong Dongning was her son’s immediate superior, Lady Eleven was naturally very interested in his affairs: "What do you mean by that?"

Marquis Xu smiled. "Duoyan fled to the northwest, but Gong Dongning didn’t order a pursuit to capitalize on the victory. There are fifty thousand troops stationed in Ganzhou from the Sichuan Regional Command, yet Gong Dongning didn’t order them to suppress the remnants. Clearly, he’s leaving it to Ouyang Ming to clean up. It shows he’s quite adept at reading the Emperor’s intentions. I was originally worried he wouldn’t adapt well in Yanjing, but now it seems I was overthinking it." As he spoke, he thought of Prince Yong. They had jointly managed a silver mine, and now that Gong Dongning was entering the capital, Prince Yong would likely look out for him. And as for the appointment of the Guizhou Regional Commander, Prince Yong would surely have a hand in that too!

"Gong Dongning’s success can be considered a case of achieving greatness later in life, right?" Lady Eleven said with a smile. "It shows that opportunities are also very important for people."

Marquis Xu nodded and was about to share a few military examples with her when a servant rushed in: "Lord, an urgent dispatch (800 li express) from Xuantong Prefecture."

Everyone in the outer courtyard knew that Jin'er was now with Gong Dongning, so naturally, they didn’t dare delay for a moment with an urgent dispatch from Xuantong Prefecture.

Marquis Xu had also been closely following the campaign in Xuantong. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "Bring it here," and sat down to read it.

Lady Eleven leaned in to look.

After just a glance, her face turned pale, and she exclaimed, "What does this mean?" The smile also vanished from Marquis Xu’s face, and his expression turned grave.

The servant, seeing the situation was amiss, quickly tiptoed out. Leng Xiang and the others exchanged glances and followed suit, withdrawing from the room.

The room fell quiet.

"It seems the Emperor wants Jin'er to seize this opportunity to gain some military merits," Marquis Xu’s sigh was clearly audible. "But this move is too heavy-handed. I’m afraid Jin'er won’t be able to handle it..."

In his letter, Gong Dongning mentioned that the supervising eunuch had received a secret decree from the Emperor, ordering him to appoint Jin'er as assistant commander to join Ouyang Ming, who was stationed at the Datong garrison, in suppressing Duoyan’s westward flight.

The overall situation was settled. With forces from the Sichuan Regional Command and the Ganzhou garrison in the west, Duoyan only had a thousand troops left, while Ouyang Ming commanded ten thousand. Moreover, as the leader of the Tartars, whether Duoyan was killed or captured would be highly significant, warranting the highest merit. Ouyang Ming was one thing—after all, he had once served as the General of the Western Expedition. But Jin'er had not only never led troops; from the start of the war until now, he hadn’t even set foot on the battlefield. He was merely a clerk by Gong Dongning’s side, lacking both the experience and qualifications to serve as Ouyang Ming’s deputy.

This was nothing short of blatant credit-stealing!

Even those who knew nothing about military strategy would understand what was happening upon hearing this, let alone the veteran generals of the Five Military Commissions or the calculating ministers at court!

The censors were not fools!

If they had started out with the intention of seizing merits, it would naturally discontent the soldiers who had fought and bled on the front lines. But at least it would have been openly despicable. Unlike now—despicable and hypocritical, even more contemptible.

Once his character came under doubt, how would Jin'er establish himself in the military camp in the future? Even if he one day became a Regional Commander, how would he command his subordinates?

"Is the Emperor harming Jin'er or elevating him?" Lady Eleven’s smile was bitter. "Since it’s a secret decree, can we pretend not to know? Isn’t it said that generals in the field need not follow all orders from the sovereign?"

"Not likely..." Marquis Xu shook his head. "Gong Dongning is about to enter the capital. He wouldn’t risk displeasing the Emperor at such a critical juncture. By writing to me, he’s merely informing me of the situation, giving me an explanation and letting me know the reasons behind it!"

"So, Gong Dongning also feels this is somewhat inappropriate?" Lady Eleven said solemnly.

Marquis Xu remained silent.

Lady Eleven suddenly grew restless. "Is there really no other way? Can we just stand by and watch Jin'er follow Ouyang Ming to the northwest like this?" Marquis Xu thought for a moment and said, "Go to Princess Dujiang’s residence. Speak with the Princess and see if she can persuade the Emperor. Since it’s a secret decree, appointing someone else when the time comes would still be justifiable." He added, "I’ll write a letter to Gong Dongning and ask him to delay for a couple of days." Lady Eleven also thought it was a good idea, even considering that if the Princess couldn’t help, she would enter the palace to plead with the Empress. No matter what, she couldn’t let Jin'er go along.

Unexpectedly, when she met the Princess, the Princess smiled and said, "I knew you would come to me, Auntie!" Her smile held a touch of self-satisfaction.

Eleven Mother was astonished, "Could it be that the Princess...?"

"Third Imperial Brother said that His Uncle cares about his eternal reputation and won't look after Jin Geer, so we'll take care of it instead," the Princess nodded, her eyes curving into happy crescents. "When Brother spoke to the Emperor, His Majesty initially disagreed with making Jin Geer a deputy commissioner, saying he was too young and only allowing him to be a company commander. It was only after I went to the palace to beg Empress Dowager, and she personally spoke to the Emperor, that His Majesty finally agreed." As she spoke, she took Eleven Mother's arm. "Aunt, you've come at just the right time. With the unfavorable war situation earlier, the palace was on edge. Now that the major matters are settled, Empress Dowager and Her Majesty the Empress have relaxed and summoned me and Consort Yong to the palace for conversation. Let's go to the palace together—Aunt can pay respects to Empress Dowager and Her Majesty the Empress, and you might also run into Consort Yong. Speaking of which, it was Consort Yong who suggested I go to the palace to ask Empress Dowager to plead with the Emperor! Otherwise, how would we know about these things?" Knowing it wasn't the Emperor's idea, a heavy weight lifted from Eleven Mother's heart. But looking at Princess Jiangdu's excited face, she knew she couldn't say anything more at this moment—whether it was Prince Yong, Princess Jiangdu, or even Consort Yong, they all meant well. Refusing to let Jin Geer return to Yanjing last time had already dampened the spirits of Prince Yong and Princess Jiangdu; refusing again would inevitably make them feel disheartened.

"Fortunately, I'm properly dressed today," Eleven Mother said with a smile. She thanked Princess Jiangdu and entered the palace with her.

Empress Dowager didn't mention speaking up for Jin Geer at all. Instead, she asked about his marriage plans: "...He's not young anymore; why haven't you made any arrangements? When we were discussing marriage for the Seventh Prince last time, I thought the daughter of Hanlin Academy Reader Kong Wenjie was quite suitable, and she's around the same age as Jin Geer. I'll summon her to the palace one day, and you can take a look too!"

"Might I ask how old Miss Kong is this year?" Eleven Mother said with a smile. "We've had Jin Geer's fortune read—it said it would be best if there's a three- or four-year age difference!"

This way, Jin Geer could marry a few years later.

"Is that so?" Empress Dowager sounded somewhat disappointed. "Miss Kong is the same age as Jin Geer."

Empress Fang Jieer, who was also present, glanced at Eleven Mother with a smile and said, "Mother Empress, since that's the case, why not propose Miss Kong to the Eighth Imperial Uncle? Speaking of which, the Eighth Imperial Uncle has also reached marriageable age..."

Empress Dowager nodded slightly and instructed Huang Xianying, "Invite Consort Song tomorrow and see what she thinks."

Huang Xianying respectfully acknowledged the order and also glanced at Eleven Mother.

Eleven Mother couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Did everyone think this girl was suitable, and was she being stubborn, missing out on a good match?

She thanked Empress Dowager somewhat uneasily.

"Jin Geer is, after all, a member of my family," Empress Dowager said dismissively. "I will naturally keep his matters in mind." Then she asked about elder madam's health.

They chatted about everyday matters for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, Eleven Mother rose to take her leave.

Princess Jiangdu also prepared to return home.

Empress Dowager and Her Majesty the Empress personally saw them out of the reception chamber, while Huang Xianying accompanied them all the way to the palace gate.

Eleven Mother first paid her respects to Princess Jiangdu, then bid farewell to Huang Xianying, tactfully asking about Miss Kong: "...Did I handle this inappropriately?"

"Empress Dowager was determined to arrange the match for Jin Geer!" Huang Xianying said with a smile. "She thought Miss Kong was suitable and used her young age as an excuse, intending to save her for the Sixth Young Master." She chuckled. "However, since Lady Yongping said it would be best for the Sixth Young Master to find someone three or four years younger, Empress Dowager now has a better idea and will surely find someone to Lady Yongping's satisfaction in the future."

Eleven Mother felt ashamed.

"Please explain a few words to Empress Dowager on my behalf," she said, bowing to Huang Xianying.

"Lady Yongping need not worry," Huang Xianying replied warmly. "Empress Dowager dotes on the Sixth Young Master from the bottom of her heart."

As the palace gate wasn't the place for lengthy conversation, Eleven Mother exchanged a few modest words before returning to Hehuali.

"Not only Princess Jiangdu, but even Empress Dowager's path proved unsuccessful."

She recounted her visit to the palace to Lord Xu.

"The Emperor shows great filial piety toward Empress Dowager," Lord Xu pondered for a long moment. "I'll visit Minister Chen tomorrow and see if there's any way to change this!"

"That's all we can do now."

Both husband and wife were preoccupied and lay awake until well after midnight.