Chapter Eighty-One: I Will Never Retreat

"You!..." Wang Zhen was at a loss for words, infuriated by Zhang Yi’s retort. His anger, however, made him unwilling to argue further with these civil officials. He knew that no matter what he said, they would not listen, and he could never outtalk them. Rather than suffer humiliation in debate, it was better not to waste words. After all, the final decision rested with the emperor, and the emperor listened to him! As for those who dared to insult and confront him, he would have his chance to deal with them in the future.

Watching Wang Zhen rendered speechless by Zhang Yi, the civil officials felt exhilarated, a distinct sense of victory filling them.

Duke of England Zhang Fu and Duke of Cheng Zhu Yong exchanged a knowing smile. Such lively scenes had been rare of late. In recent years, Wang Zhen’s arrogance had grown unchecked, relying on the emperor’s trust and the support of Jinyiwei’s Ma Shun and Dongchang’s Tang Tong, as well as the likes of Xu Xi, Wang Wen, and Wang You, who were considered traitors among the civil officials. The imperial court had nearly become a one-man show, with few daring to stand up to him. Unexpectedly, after the army marched out, the civil officials had grown bolder—something truly impressive.

Grandson-in-law Jing Yuan sighed quietly, while the other distinguished nobles wore expressions of schadenfreude, completely oblivious to the fact that once the army returned to the capital, their own opportunities for merit and reward would diminish. How would their sons and nephews gain military honors and rise in rank then?

The influence of civil officials in the court was ever increasing. Once these old nobles passed, how could the new upstarts with no military achievements hope to compete with the civil officials? When the civil officials finally took full control of the court, their descendants would be forced to live at the mercy of others.

What a pity. Shortsightedness.

A hidden dagger at the end of the painting!

Director of the Imperial Horse Chen Guan and Chief Eunuch Qiu Ning both recalled this phrase as they observed the civil officials’ attitude toward Wang Zhen. Both wondered if perhaps the officials believed the emperor would surely return with the army, and that once back, the emperor would no longer trust Wang Zhen—hence their collective attack, hoping to topple him for good.

As Wang Zhen’s nephew, Wang Shan could only grind his teeth in frustration while his uncle suffered humiliation. He silently memorized the names of those who had affronted his uncle, vowing to make them pay once they returned to the capital.

At the critical moment, it was Zhu Qizhen, the emperor’s student, who rescued his teacher. With a somber face, he asked Prime Minister Cao Nai, "So, according to you, you insist that I must lead the army back?"

"Your Majesty. This campaign has seen unfavorable conditions—timing, terrain, and unity are all against us. Now, even the supply of provisions is difficult. If we linger any longer, great calamity may arise. For the sake of the empire, Your Majesty should issue the command to withdraw."

Cao Nai had weighed these words carefully before speaking. Now that the civil officials had openly opposed Wang Zhen, nearly to the point of calling him a eunuch fiend before the emperor, the situation was clear. Whether to retreat had become the main battleground against Wang Zhen. If they could not persuade the emperor to withdraw, Wang Zhen’s arrogance would only increase, and life for the civil officials would become even harder.

After much deliberation, though he disliked the idea of retreating while morale was shaken, Cao Nai dared not risk alienating all the civil officials by opposing the move. He could only hope that Esen had truly fled, and was not lurking nearby, waiting for the army to let its guard down.

With the Prime Minister’s endorsement, the civil officials were overjoyed. Seizing the moment, Minister of War Kuang Ye, who had been silent, addressed the emperor, "The Oirat are merely a border threat. Their invasion is only to avenge the embassy incident. Your Majesty has seen it yourself—the moment our army arrived, Esen vanished without a trace. Clearly, Esen has no grand ambitions. The Oirat are not a serious concern. The army may safely withdraw to the capital."

He had barely finished speaking when the young emperor, his voice trembling, replied, "So you mean to tell me that I should turn a blind eye as Esen murders my people and steals my wealth, pretend nothing happened, slink back to the capital, then send envoys to appease him, allow him to send missions to offer tribute again, or perhaps marry a Ming princess to his son, exchanging the humiliation of a marriage alliance for border peace?"

"That was not my intention!..." Kuang Ye sensed danger in the emperor’s icy tone and dared not utter another word.

He remained silent, but Zhu Qizhen had already erupted, "If that’s not what you meant, then why must I withdraw the army? Is there truly a shortage of provisions? Wang Zuo, tell me—why would the army run out of food if it stayed at Yanghe Pass, but not if it retreated? Is the supply of provisions actually tied to whether the army withdraws, or are you deliberately hiding the truth and deceiving me, forcing me back to the capital?"

"I dare not!"

Wang Zuo was so terrified he fell to his knees.

The young emperor was truly enraged, his furious voice roaring through the tent, frightening all the gathered officials into kneeling once more.

"When I decide to withdraw, it won’t be because you pressure me. I have my own judgment!"

"Send word to Yang Hong in Xuanfu: the army’s provisions must not be disrupted. No matter what it takes, he must ensure the supply line. Otherwise, I will punish him!"

"Those among you who spread rumors about the army running out of food, listen well—I will not be coerced by you. I have faith in my troops. As long as I remain at Yanghe Pass, they will not abandon me!"

At the end, Zhu Qizhen abruptly paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over Wang Zuo and Kuang Ye. He said coldly, "One is Minister of War, the other is Minister of Revenue—one oversees the troops, the other the provisions. Yet what have the two of you accomplished since leaving the capital?" With that, he angrily waved his hand and commanded, "Guards, drag Wang Zuo and Kuang Ye out. Make them kneel outside the tent. They are not to rise until I say so!"

At this order, the officials in the tent changed color. Cao Nai and Zhang Yi wished to intervene, but seeing the emperor’s face contorted with rage, neither dared speak.

Jing Yuan looked hopefully at Duke of England Zhang Fu, expecting the leader of the nobles to plead with the emperor not to treat his ministers so harshly. But Zhang Fu only glanced about, refusing to speak up.

Duke of Cheng Zhu Yong also kept his head down, unmoving. With both dukes silent, none of the other nobles dared to stick their necks out. As for Wang Zhen pleading for the two men—not a chance.

Immediately, guards rushed in and escorted Wang Zuo and Kuang Ye from the imperial tent, one on each side. The guards, all members of the Jinyiwei, showed no courtesy to the two ministers, and outside the tent, they tossed them to the ground. Kuang Ye managed better, being sturdier from his military post, but Wang Zuo, frail and scholarly, felt as if his bones would shatter from the fall. No sooner had they struggled up than their necks were pressed down, forcing each to kneel. (To be continued...)