Chapter 94: A Close-Quarter Encounter
Chapter 94: A Close-Quarter Encounter
Yang Xin, clad in a Flying Fish Robe, walked out of the Gate of Heavenly Succession under the sidelong glances of countless guards along the way.
“Brother Yang!”
Xu Xianchun said with obvious envy.
This was an authentic Flying Fish Robe. In theory, only officials of the second rank or higher could wear it, and it had to be personally bestowed by the emperor. Otherwise, no matter one’s rank, it could not be worn. Of course, this was just the rule. By the Wanli era, such things had long become widespread. Forget the Flying Fish Robe; some even wore Python Robes, though they would slightly alter the design of the actual python…
That way, it wasn’t considered overstepping.
We’re not wearing python robes; how could this be a python? Look, the horns are different.
This is a grass beast.
Our Great Ming Dynasty never prohibited wearing grass beasts.
Well, that was the current Great Ming Dynasty. In any case, those who dared to wear such things were no ordinary people, and no one would truly hold them accountable. In fact, some even wore them openly in front of the emperor. For example, during the Jiajing era, Minister of War Zhang Zan wore a Python Robe. Emperor Jiajing asked Xia Yan in confusion, “When did I bestow a Python Robe upon him?” Xia Yan then told him, “That is the Flying Fish Robe you bestowed upon him earlier. Your eyesight is poor; you misidentified it.” Jiajing immediately flew into a rage. “Do you all think I’m blind? I can’t even tell a python from a flying fish?”
Of course, historical records did state that he misidentified it, but for an emperor to mistake a Flying Fish Robe for a Python Robe seemed rather exaggerated. These things were essentially just four designs: dragon, python, flying fish, and the “fighting bull.” Ordinary commoners might not recognize them, but Jiajing certainly should have.
It was very likely that Zhang Zan had altered the flying fish design slightly to make it look more like a python, just to show off.
They did look quite similar anyway; those unfamiliar couldn’t tell the difference between a python and a flying fish.
Everyone did this.
But Yang Xin’s was different.
This was the genuine article.
Clad in the Flying Fish Robe with its trailing skirt, wearing a black gauze cap, a phoenix belt around his waist, and black leather boots, Yang Xin straightforwardly stuffed a one-thousand-tael Silver Note into Xu Xianchun’s hand.
“Uh, what is this for?”
Xu Xianchun asked in surprise.
“An apology. I had Chen Yujie forge a letter in your handwriting, tricking the Li Rubai brothers into thinking you eavesdropped on Huang Jiashan’s secret memorial, urging His Majesty to seize the chance to eliminate the Li Family in one fell swoop. This forced the Li Rubai brothers into a corner, leaving them no choice but to follow me in the counterattack on Kaiyuan-Tieling. Otherwise, those two old foxes wouldn’t have fought so desperately. However, that letter has already been burned.”
Yang Xin said.
Li Rubai would definitely seek out Xu Xianchun privately to express his gratitude.
“This…”
Xu Xianchun was stunned.
But he quickly regained his composure.
“Brother Yang must be joking. With Brother Yang and Doctor Chen’s character, how could you do such a thing? This must be Brother Yang playing a joke on me. A joke between brothers is nothing, but we mustn’t let those with ulterior motives hear it.”
He declared righteously.
“Indeed, I was merely joking. Brother Xu is truly perceptive!”
Yang Xin said with a laugh.
That settled it.
When Li Rubai went to see Xu Xianchun, Xu Xianchun would play dumb. Such matters only needed to be mutually understood. An old fox like Li Rubai only wanted Xu Xianchun to know the Li Family was grateful to him, but making it explicit was impossible. What was needed was mutual understanding without outright declaration. Since the letter was already burned, letting Xu Xianchun know about it was just to show sincerity. This man was still worth maintaining good relations with.
The two men shared a knowing smile, and then Xu Xianchun pocketed the banknote.
“Come, let’s take Brother Yang on his victory parade!”
He called out to his subordinates.
His men erupted in rowdy cheers.
Then these Imperial Guards quickly fanned out, surrounding Yang Xin and Xu Xianchun as they walked side by side. One wore a flying fish robe, the other a “fighting bull” robe, encircled by a ring of guards in yellow surcoats. Two strong men led the way, blowing suona horns. The entire procession marched proudly out of the Chang’an Right Gate…
This was the victory parade.
Well, not exactly a full victory parade, as that required full ceremonial regalia.
Initially, Wanli had ordered the Imperial Guards to rush to Shanhai Pass to deliver the imperial edict early, intending for Yang Xin to change into the bestowed robe and show it off all the way to the capital, demonstrating to soldiers and civilians along the route the rewards a loyal and righteous man deserved. But Yang Xin had refused to accept the edict, so technically, he was being escorted back to the capital for punishment. Now, punishment was out of the question. Yang Xin hadn’t accepted any official rank or title either, but making him go out and show off was still necessary.
Wanli had to let the people know how he rewarded loyal and righteous subjects.
So, they had to have the Imperial Guards escort him home.
That would do.
The two strong men blowing suona horns out of the Chang’an Right Gate immediately drew the attention of everyone outside.
Whether pedestrians or vendors, all rushed to the sides of the street, watching as Yang Xin, clad in the Flying Fish Robe, passed by surrounded by Imperial Guards. His deeds had already spread far and wide. Just like his last military expedition, he once again became the focus of the entire city’s attention.
The common people on both sides cheered his name and recounted his exploits. Some even offered him wine. On horseback, Yang Xin repeatedly cupped his hands in salute to both sides. Behind him on the horse was the Green Dragon Crescent Blade. This massive Green Dragon Crescent Blade, originally used for examinations by the Five Military Commissions, had also been mythologized. The common folk had given it many exaggerated names.
In short, his glorious achievements—decapitating five hundred and slaying a Jiannu prince—had completely made him a legend of the Great Ming…
“This isn’t the way to the Xianyi Neighborhood, is it?”
Yang Xin asked, puzzled, watching the two strong men turning south.
To get to the Xianyi Neighborhood, they needed to go west.
“His Majesty has ordered us to take a tour around the city!”
Xu Xianchun said.
“Then I trouble you all!”
Yang Xin said with a smile.
Since that was the case, he would simply play his part earnestly!
Surrounded by Imperial Guards, accompanied by cheers from both sides, Yang Xin headed south. They soon passed the Daming Gate and continued east to Chongwen Gate Inner Street before turning north toward the gate of the Mingshi Quarter. However, Wang Wang wouldn’t be there now. She had already returned to Huguang with her grandfather. She had set off south when Yang Xin was still at Yehe City.
Fang Tinglan wasn’t there either.
Her father had recently passed away from illness, and she was still observing mourning!
But there was an acquaintance.
Yang Xin smiled as he looked at a young woman in the crowd by the roadside.
The young woman glared at him fiercely, clearly still holding a grudge over how he had abandoned her back then.
“Brother Yang has good taste!”
Xu Xianchun said with a laugh.
“Brother Xu knows her?”
Yang Xin asked, surprised.
“The daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, Shang Zhouzuo. Their home is across from Xu Zhanshi’s. I hear she’s a famous talented lady.”
Xu Xianchun said.
“Uh, I’m not interested in talented ladies!”
Yang Xin said, feeling rather guilty.
The group continued forward, following Chongwen Gate Inner Street all the way to the northern part of the city. At the intersection with Dongzhimen Street, they turned west, proceeding until they reached the Drum Tower, then turned into Bei’anmen Outer Street, heading next toward the Yinding Bridge. When they reached the bridgehead, they found they couldn’t go any further.
“This is organized and premeditated!”
Yang Xin remarked, looking at Wang Wenyan on the opposite bridgehead with feeling.
The latter was also watching him with a smile. Behind Wang Wenyan, Young Master Wang was looking at him with an expression of seemingly implacable hatred, probably having guessed who was responsible for the injury he suffered. After all, given Yang Xin’s performance on the battlefield, he was likely the only one in the capital at the time capable of taking someone up to the top of the city tower. Behind these two were several hundred Green Robed Scholars, most of whom had stormed the Xu Mansion that time. A few among them also looked at him with gnashing hatred, the scars still visible on their faces.
Xu Xianchun stepped forward with a frown.
“The Imperial Guards are escorting the righteous man from Hejian, Yang Xin, back to his residence by Imperial Edict. Fellow Government Students, please make way!”
He said.
“Assistant Commissioner Xu, do you want Confucius to make way for you?”
Wang Wenyan said with a smile.
As he spoke, the Green Robed Scholars behind him parted to the sides, revealing one among them holding a Memorial Tablet of Confucius.
The latter also bore injuries on his face. Holding the tablet with both hands, he looked challengingly at Yang Xin behind Xu Xianchun.
“Assistant Commissioner Xu, we are on our way to the Confucian Temple to pay respects to Confucius. It is you who should make way.”
Wang Wenyan said.
The common people gathered on both sides watched this scene with great interest.
Clearly, these fellows were deliberately blocking the way. Yang Xin’s feud with them was well known. His bold act of beating up the Green Robed Scholars had been celebrated throughout the capital for over a month. Now, with him making such a high-profile display, it was only natural these scholars would cause trouble! There was only this one Yinding Bridge here, with water to the south and north. Even if they detoured south via the Wanning Bridge, it would be over a mile. Of course, detouring wasn’t the point. These guys were forcing Yang Xin to either yield or detour, thereby humiliating him. Moreover, if they could block here, they could also block at Wanning Bridge. The entire northern city’s Jishuitan and the connected Front and Rear Lakes ran lengthwise. To go from the east side of the city to the west, one had to cross one of three bridges: Desheng Gate Bridge, Yinding Bridge, or Wanning Bridge. There was no other route.
Blocking the way was all too easy.
Xu Xianchun looked at Wang Wenyan expressionlessly.
The latter maintained his smile unfazed, looking at him and at Yang Xin behind him.
This man felt secure. He knew the Memorial Tablet of Confucius behind him, along with their stated purpose of going to worship at the Confucian Temple, was reason enough. Not just for Yang Xin; except for Wanli’s own grand procession, no matter who came, they dared block them with this tablet. Even if it were Wanli himself, he would likely give way to them. When the Sage appears, all other deities make way. All gods and emperors step aside. Even Wanli would have to kneel upon entering the Confucian Temple.
Xu Xianchun turned to look at Yang Xin.
“Which is greater, Confucius or the Emperor?”
Yang Xin asked with feigned innocence.
“Is the Great Ming the world of the Zhu Family or the Confucius family? Does His Majesty the Emperor’s Imperial Edict hold authority, or does Confucius’s memorial tablet? Confucius is your literati’s sage; what does that have to do with us? We worship the Divine Emperor of Loyalty and Patriotism, Lord Yue; we worship the peerlessly righteous Divine Emperor, Lord Guan. We do not worship your Confucius! In my eyes, there is only His Majesty, only the Emperor of our Great Ming. Unless His Majesty the Emperor issues me another edict ordering me to make way for Confucius, I, Yang Xin, will only act according to His Majesty’s command. Make way? You use a dead man’s tablet to obstruct the Imperial Edict of the Great Ming Emperor. Do you have any respect for the Great Ming Emperor in your eyes? Are you subjects of the Great Ming or household servants of the Confucius family?”
He then barked.