Chapter 45: Conspiracies and Schemes

Hearing this, Hou Xun let out a soft hum, his voice deep: "The闯 rebel is no longer what he used to be. Since taking Luoyang, they have capitalized on the severe drought to expand their strength, harnessing the entire resources of Henan province. Coupled with their appointment of officials, retention of silver in Luoyang, and the concentration of elite troops, they have indeed developed an aura of formidable new vitality. Yet our imperial forces suffer repeated defeats, and督师 who lost their lives at their hands are not just one or two. Now... with the fresh defeat at Zhuxian Town, the Great Ming's imperial forces are already exhausted. In light of this, Kaifeng... has truly become a deep mire and abyss for our Great Ming..."

Hearing Hou Xun speak thus, Hou Fangyu’s eyes burned with bright intensity as he looked at his father and said, "Father, this son believes this matter can be viewed from a different perspective. Perhaps... we can discover that this is a magnificent opportunity!"

"Hmm?" Hou Xun frowned slightly, looking at the eager Hou Fangyu. He was about to reprimand him for being rash, but he suddenly realized that the Hou Fangyu before him was no longer a teenager in his early tens. The present Hou Fangyu was a young scholar who had already passed the provincial examinations and sought to showcase his grand ambitions.

At this thought, Hou Xun nodded, signaling Hou Fangyu to continue.

Seeing this, Hou Fangyu’s expression immediately turned passionate and spirited as he babbled on: "Father! The current situation in Henan is viewed by the entire realm with dread. Yet the appearance of the Crown Prince is a turning point! Given the safety of the Crown Prince, no regional military commander will dare to treat this lightly. By this... we can issue commands to the military garrisons; who would dare to disobey?"

As Hou Fangyu finished speaking, he clenched his fingers into a tight fist. It was as if that dusty, worldly petty official who had once humiliated him was now thoroughly kneaded in his palm, ready to be toyed with and disgraced at will!

Hou Xun pondered Hou Fangyu’s words for a moment before nodding slightly, effectively agreeing.

In this regard, Hou Fangyu was not wrong. The heir apparent and Crown Prince of Great Ming was surrounded in Kaifeng. Consequently, the relief of Kaifeng naturally grew immensely more critical. The entire imperial court would turn their gaze toward it, and the military crisis in Kaifeng became even more pressing. And this, obviously, augmented Hou Fangyu’s own authority.

As the saying goes, the greater the risk, the greater the hidden rewards.

If one could secure Kaifeng and rescue the Crown Prince, wouldn't Hou Xun soar straight up into the clouds with boundless benefits?

Thinking of this, the expression on Hou Xun’s face gradually relaxed, though a few lingering doubts in his heart made him subconsciously uncertain: "That is the reasoning, indeed. But you also know that, apart from the two thousand soldiers I brought from the Capital Garrison, I have no other troops at my disposal."

Hou Xun was still better informed than Sun Chuanting. When Sun Chuanting was released from prison, seeing the Emperor showering him with continuous expressions of warm concern, he was so moved that he made sweeping boasts, speaking as though the rebels across the Central Plains could be pacified with effortless ease.

Yet the current Great Ming court was severely lacking in funds, grain, logistics, imperial prestige, and other strong military forces. This time, the court managed to actually deliver two hundred thousand taels of military pay into Hou Xun's hands, something even Hou Xun himself felt was no easy feat. Moreover, after the court’s last main combat force perished in the Battle of Songjin in Liaodong, the other military warlords were no longer entirely obedient.

If Hou Xun thought he could pacify the chaotic situation merely by relying on the two thousand mediocre combat-capable troops of the Capital Garrison, he was clearly dreaming.

Hearing Hou Xun ask this, Hou Fangyu immediately lowered his voice and smiled: "Father, this is precisely what this son wishes to say next. Please look once more at the military intelligence delivered by this son today. The imperial troops of the Shandong Garrison have arrived at the Liuhekou Ferry of Kaifeng, and are currently engaged in a fierce battle with the闯 rebels. This is indeed a powerful force! To proactively meet the enemy in a field battle and defeat the闯 rebel generals Li Yan and Red Dress, who command the rebel forces—such troops are precisely the right arm for you, Father, to display your might in Henan!"

Hou Xun nodded slightly, but after a brief thought, he shook his head and said: "The Shandong Garrison has strong troops, but making them fight to the death for me will not be easy. Merely invoking the name of rescuing the Crown Prince is not enough. In truth, the ability of the Shandong Garrison to enter Henan at least demonstrates that they act under the imperial mandate and serve as the court's reliance. But look at the warlord mentalities of Baoding commander Hu Dawei and Huguang commander Zu Liangyu. Relying solely on imperial authority and mere titles, they might show up just to put in an appearance. But if you expect them to exert themselves and fight to the death, I must hold something in my hands that makes them wary. These men of military force fear power and do not cherish virtue. Relying solely on military pay and generous favors is simply not enough..."

Faced with this rebuttal from Hou Xun, Hou Fangyu did not look discouraged. Instead, a subtle expression appeared on his face as he said: "Therefore, isn't it better to use the military achievements of the Shandong Garrison to compel them to exert themselves, and use the Shandong Garrison to suppress them so they are forced to provide rescue? Furthermore, Father may not know that there is actually a hidden story behind the strength of these Shandong troops."

"Oh?" Hou Xun cast an extra glance at Hou Fangyu. He had indeed heard about the setbacks Hou Fangyu suffered in Linqing. Now it seemed Hou Fangyu truly was aware of the so-called hidden story behind the Shandong Garrison.

Thinking thus, Hou Xun grew somewhat interested: "Chaozong, speak on."

Hearing this, Hou Fangyu’s eyes lit up as he lowered his voice: "The reason these Shandong troops are capable of fighting is primarily because of a wealthy financier. That person is none other than Qin Xia, the current Surveillance Vice-Commissioner of the Shandong Surveillance Division and Military Defense Intendant of the Shandong Garrison. He has seized the financial source of the Shandong Garrison and generously rewards brave warriors, which is why he has been able to revitalize the fighting spirit of the Shandong Garrison. Father... that Qin Xia assumed his post in Linqing not long ago, yet he constantly obsesses over entering Kaifeng City to lift the siege. For such a dusty, worldly, petty official to vainly attempt to seize this supreme merit—it is sheer overestimation of his own capabilities..."

"Get to the point," Hou Xun glanced lightly at Hou Fangyu.

Hou Fangyu wore a sheepish look, lowered his voice, and continued: "However, how can one mountain tolerate two tigers? Qin Xia and Liu Zeqing have always been at odds. It is simply because Liu Zeqing is forced to rely on Qin Xia’s financial resources that he has tolerated him. While Qin Xia certainly possesses some schemes, after all, he is no match for your seasoned and deep stratagems, Father. When the time comes, a single official dispatch can transfer him into your secretariat to temporarily serve under your banner. With Kaifeng and Linqing separated by a thousand miles, who could possibly save him?"

Hou Xun did not speak, but Hou Fangyu, who knew his father well, recognized this as the sign that Hou Xun was tempted. He was considering and deducing the plan.

At this thought, Hou Fangyu continued: "Besides, with Minister Zhou backing us from above, wouldn't swallowing the financial resources of the Maritime Customs and Tax Superintendency be an effortless task? I have heard that the Maritime Customs and Tax Superintendency currently pulls in thirty thousand taels of silver in taxes annually. Clearly, this is extortionate and oppressive taxation, and only when it is controlled by righteous scholars of our upright stream can we avoid harming the common people!"

Hearing Hou Fangyu reach this point, Hou Xun's expression grew even more intrigued.

"In short... once we seize the financial source, the powerful troops of the Shandong Garrison can be put to use by you, Father. With the strong forces of the Shandong Garrison... and the righteous cause of rescuing the Crown Prince, your commands, Father, will no longer be empty words. At that time, we can order Yang Wenyue and Hu Dawei from Runing to come to the rescue, and have Zuo Liangyu from Xiangyang join the fight. If we do this, the Henan campaign might just be pacified in one stroke!"

As Hou Fangyu finished speaking, Hou Xun abruptly stood up and began pacing back and forth across the hall.

He was mulling over what Hou Fangyu had said.

Originally, Hou Xun had only been listening to Hou Fangyu speak out of a mood of casual amusement and nurturing his son. But now, having truly listened to such an exposition by Hou Fangyu, he was genuinely persuaded.

This plan was actually feasible! (To be continued.)