Chapter 82: Guo Jing Has Returned

"By imperial order, the two esteemed officials must remain kneeling here until His Majesty gives the word; neither of you may rise until commanded," the leading guard announced in a matter-of-fact tone. With a sly bow, he continued, "We are simply carrying out our orders. If this causes you any offense, we beg your forgiveness and hope you will not hold it against us."

Wang Zuo kept silent, and Kuang Ye merely snorted in response, refusing to acknowledge the guard.

Seeing this, the guard gave a self-deprecating chuckle, waved to his companions, and said, "The two lords have received the imperial order to kneel; our business here is done. Let's leave and not further offend their eyes."

One of the guards hesitated, voicing his concern, "Chief, if we leave, what if they..."

The leader laughed heartily and replied, "Rest assured, these gentlemen would never defy an imperial decree." With that, he led his men away.

Once the guards had gone, Wang Zuo sighed and said to Kuang Ye, "Brother Mengzhi, His Majesty grows less willing to heed honest counsel with each passing day. If the army does not return to the capital soon, I fear true disaster is looming."

"Since ancient times, honest words have always been harsh to the ears," Kuang Ye replied with a sigh. After glancing around to ensure their privacy, he lowered his voice and asked, "Brother Mengfu, since we are alone here, let me ask you frankly: did you know of the rumors beforehand?"

Wang Zuo's expression shifted, his face growing grave. Rather than answer directly, he declared, "Wang Zhen, that wicked eunuch, has plunged the court into chaos. Men of loyalty and righteousness such as ourselves would destroy him at any cost!"

Kuang Ye fell silent, his face troubled. After a long pause, he spoke with difficulty, "With the army in the field, morale is of the utmost importance. Was it truly worth risking the soldiers' spirits for the sake of eliminating a eunuch?"

"Fear not, Brother Mengzhi. Even if morale wavers, it will not alter the outcome. Once the army returns, would the Oirat dare pursue us into the capital?" Wang Zuo showed no hint of concern. In his view, even if morale faltered, the imperial force numbered over a hundred thousand—far outstripping the two or three divisions under Esen's command. Even if the other branches under Ara and Tatu Buha joined forces, they could not possibly swallow so great an army.

Kuang Ye, however, was less optimistic. As Minister of War, he understood military affairs far better than Wang Zuo and knew Esen to be a formidable foe. "Perhaps," he said, "but Esen is cunning, as was his father, Toghon. Both are extraordinary talents of the Oirat. If he learns our army's resolve has weakened, he will surely act. He will not let our forces return home so easily."

Wang Zuo dismissed his concerns. "Datong and Xuanfu are both firmly in the hands of the Ming. Esen, however bold, would not dare harry our army within our own borders! You worry too much, Brother Mengzhi. A wise man knows when to yield. Esen has already taken his fill and knows the emperor himself leads this campaign. Most likely, he has long since fled. He would never have the courage to pursue our army home."

Kuang Ye sighed, saying nothing more, though in his heart he disagreed. He knew Esen was anything but timid. The thousands of corpses at Yanghe Pass were proof enough; Esen had dared attack forty thousand elite troops at Datong with just twenty thousand men. Why would he shrink from harrying their retreat? If the opportunity arose, he'd strike without hesitation and flee if he failed. Should the army's morale truly collapse, and if Esen, that hungry wolf, trailed their retreat, the road back to the capital would be far from smooth...

Seeing Kuang Ye fall silent, Wang Zuo spoke again: "Brother Mengzhi, spreading rumors may be a desperate measure, but have you considered what would happen if His Majesty insists on fighting Esen? What if we win or lose?"

"Our army is vast and made up of the capital's finest. We have over forty thousand cavalry, and our combined forces far outnumber Esen's. If he dares face us in open battle, he cannot possibly win." As Minister of War, Kuang Ye was confident in their strength. A direct confrontation would leave Esen with no hope. The trouble was if Esen refused open battle, choosing instead to harass and wear down the Ming forces—that would be a far graver problem. Judging by Esen's current tactics, this seemed precisely his intention, and that was deeply troubling.

Swift, decisive victory was most in the Ming's interest. Despite the army's vast numbers, the campaign had been rushed, and opposition had been loud and persistent at every level. There were obstacles everywhere, and morale had sunk due to the rumors. In the short term, this mattered little, but over time, it could spell disaster.

Wang Zuo, however, showed none of Kuang Ye's unease. Instead, he countered, "If the army wins, would we, the civil officials who opposed this campaign, not become a laughingstock? Though the emperor insisted on leading the army, everyone knows it was Wang Zhen whispering in his ear. Should we return triumphant, Wang Zhen will ride the wave of victory back to court. Tell me, Brother Mengzhi, will there be any place left for men like us in the government?"

Kuang Ye furrowed his brow, at a loss for words. A great victory over Esen might enhance the emperor's martial reputation, but it would also elevate Wang Zhen's prestige to new heights. Meanwhile, the civil officials who had opposed the campaign would be forced to keep their heads down. As the influence of the eunuch and his faction grew, there would be little room for the voices of the officials; soon, only Wang Zhen's cronies and the hereditary nobles would be heard in court.

Wang Zuo pressed on, "Since Emperor Xuande, the Three Yangs worked tirelessly for decades to wrest control of the court from the hereditary nobles and give us, the civil officials, a voice. If that balance is lost thanks to this treacherous eunuch, how could we ever face our predecessors after death?" He paused before continuing, "Brother Mengzhi, it's not that I detest the military nobles, but they lack both talent and virtue. If they dominate the court, we civil officials will never rise again. And now, with Wang Zhen abusing his favor and distorting government, did we endure years of study and hardship just to be bossed about by a palace eunuch or to bow to a band of coarse soldiers?"

These words struck Kuang Ye to the core. He replied with emotion, "How could I not wish to rid the realm of that eunuch? But this concerns the fate of the entire army. If disaster befalls them, the very foundation of the state will be shaken. Brother Mengfu, you must be cautious."

"The army will not be defeated!" Wang Zuo declared with confidence, squaring his shoulders. "If the army returns to the capital without victory, that alone will be our triumph! Brother Mengzhi, let me be frank: once the army returns, the court will rise up, and Wang Zhen will surely be destroyed!"

"Are you truly so certain?" Kuang Ye remained uneasy. "Given the emperor's trust in Wang Zhen, he may not heed the officials' demands."

"When all under heaven wish Wang Zhen dead, what can the emperor alone do to protect him?" As he spoke, a cold glint flashed in Wang Zuo's eyes.

"If that villain is allowed to form factions and meddle with government, the nation is doomed. So long as we civil officials stand united, His Majesty will come to understand our loyalty and change his mind! Then, we shall be lauded as the ones who rid the court of a traitor, our names honored for generations and true to the teachings of the sages!"

Kuang Ye's blood surged at these words, and he no longer hesitated. "We are ministers of the court; it is our duty to purge evil for the sake of the realm!"

"Good! Then let us kneel here and let the emperor and Wang Zhen see for themselves..."

Wang Zuo had not finished when a group of fourth- and fifth-rank officials surged toward them. As they approached, a young official at their head announced loudly, "Hearing that you, sirs, have been punished by His Majesty to kneel, we have come to join you in solidarity!"

With that, the young man knelt beside Wang Zuo, and the others followed, kneeling in rows.

"My colleagues, why put yourselves through this?" Seeing so many young officials standing with them brought tears to Kuang Ye's eyes. There was hope for the Ming yet, successors to carry on the cause.

Wang Zuo looked at the young man beside him, finding him vaguely familiar. "And you are?"

The young official replied respectfully, "I am Li Xian, a jinshi of the seventh year of Xuande, currently serving as Director of Merit Evaluation in the Ministry of Personnel."

"Li Xian?"

Wang Zuo was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, his gaze full of admiration.

A group of officials kneeling in solidarity with Kuang Ye and Wang Zuo quickly became a sensation, and before long, word reached the emperor.

...

Inside the imperial tent, the ministers had already withdrawn. Only Wang Zhen, the personal eunuch attendant Xi Ning, and Emperor Zhengtong remained.

Zhengtong’s temper had flared quickly but soon cooled. He now regretted punishing Kuang Ye and Wang Zuo so harshly. Upon hearing that a group of young officials had joined them in kneeling, he felt even more uneasy; after all, he did not wish to be remembered as a foolish ruler.

Xi Ning, ever-attentive, stood quietly by, occasionally stepping forward to pour tea for the emperor and Wang Zhen, but never speaking out of turn. His obedience pleased Wang Zhen greatly.

The three remained in silent company for some time, until at last Zhengtong could not suppress his feelings any longer. "Teacher, let them rise. Both Kuang Ye and Wang Zuo were trusted ministers of the late emperor. If I treat them so harshly, my father’s spirit will find no peace."

Wang Zhen replied, "Your Majesty, if you give in now, will you give in for a lifetime?"

Zhengtong was puzzled. "What do you mean by that, Teacher?"

Wang Zhen sighed. "If Your Majesty relents now, it will not be long before they again call for the army’s return. When that happens, will you punish them again or accede to their demands?"

Zhengtong replied firmly, "So long as Esen is not defeated, I will not recall the army!"

"Then let them kneel a while longer," Wang Zhen advised.

Zhengtong nodded. "Very well, as you say. Let them rise after nightfall."

Just then, Xi Ning peered outside the tent. Noticing this, Zhengtong glanced up and saw Wang Shan, Wang Zhen’s nephew, approaching. Smiling, he said, "Wang Shan seems to have business with you, Teacher. You should see what he wants. I have Xi Ning here with me."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Wang Zhen answered, bowing as he withdrew. Outside, he drew Wang Shan aside and asked, "What is it?"

Wang Shan swallowed hard before replying, "Uncle, Guo Jing has returned!"

(To be continued...)