Chapter Forty-One: He Really Was Not Polite

Under such suffocating pressure, Yang Chuan seemed to gather up an immense and imposing air. Fixing Zhu Cilang with his gaze, he smiled and said, "Come now, I still do not know the courtesy name of Lord Qin the Hero. It is always rather like lecturing children to call a man only by his given name. Though, in Linqing, I did indeed earn some reputation for promoting the younger generation."

Zhu Cilang smiled faintly. He understood what Yang Chuan meant.

Was this not the same as pointing at the monk while cursing the bald thief? Everyone knew Zhu Cilang was young; everyone also believed that his rise from Wang Qingtuo in Wuqing to the capital for such a fat post was entirely thanks to Cao Zhengchun's lingering influence. And it was widely rumored that the power behind him reached directly to Wang Cheng'en in the capital. How could Yang Chuan possibly have failed to investigate this before coming? At this point, he might as well have said outright that Zhu Cilang was merely a favored climber of the eunuch faction.

To this, Zhu Cilang simply said softly, "As it happens, I am indeed young, only seventeen, and have not yet undergone the coming-of-age rite, so I do not yet have a courtesy name."

Hearing Zhu Cilang say this so calmly, Yang Chuan was instantly stunned.

He had heard that Zhu Cilang was young, and he also knew Zhu Cilang had a formidable background, which was why he had been able, at such a tender age, to hold the position of a sixth-rank director with such rich spoils.

But however young that might be, it still only meant being in one's twenties, did it not?

After all, in more than two hundred years of the Great Ming, how many prodigies had actually entered office as jinshi in their teens? The number could be counted on one's fingers.

Even among the most recent imperial laureates, those in their twenties were already considered extremely young. The mainstream degree holders, which of them were not close to thirty, or even forty?

A seventeen-year-old youth already serving as a sixth-rank director? That was simply not scientific.

Zhu Cilang's age threw Yang Chuan's rhythm into chaos.

Originally, Yang Chuan had intended to use Zhu Cilang's youth, and the fact that he did not even have a courtesy name, to press down on the other's momentum. But once he truly learned Zhu Cilang's age, it was Yang Chuan who was the one stunned.

How was he supposed to suppress him now? The man's edge was ferocious enough already.

Seeing that Yang Chuan had been subdued, Zhu Cilang did not stop there, but continued, "In the past, my father always felt that my ambitions were too grand and my heart not yet mature, and he never believed I had truly become an adult. But since Scholar Dongshan has brought it up today, I am even more convinced of the creed I shall uphold throughout my life. And since, for the sake of convenience in future travels, I cannot do without a courtesy name, I shall disclose one now."

"Yi Ming."

"As for personal honor and shame, and what is called face, let us never mention them again."

With righteous dignity, Zhu Cilang spoke these words, and they sent a jolt through Yang Chuan from head to toe. An utterly unfamiliar feeling rose from the depths of his heart, leaving him unable to calm down for a long while.

At last, after who knew how much time had passed, Yang Chuan, knowing that his own bearing could no longer overpower the other man's, quietly gave up.

He sighed softly and looked at Zhu Cilang. "In that case, please tell me, Lord Qin, what it is you seek."

"Today, the Great Ming's gravest crisis lies in the plight of the Central Plains. If the Commander is willing to ride with me and lead troops to Kaifeng to resist the bandits Li Chuang, Luo Rucai, and the like, and relieve the situation in the Central Plains, then a mere Liu Pei would naturally amount to nothing." As Zhu Cilang spoke, his resolve was exceptionally firm.

Hearing this, Yang Chuan was even more stunned. Staring at Zhu Cilang, he could not calm himself for a long time.

This man simply could not be judged by ordinary reasoning.

He had thought Zhu Cilang merely had too large an appetite and wanted to extort some gold and silver, treasures, fertile lands, and beauties from Liu Zeqing. Who could have imagined that Zhu Cilang would not mention wealth, power, or women at all, and instead, in a burst of imagination, demand that Liu Zeqing follow him with troops to Kaifeng to fight the peasant armies?

What a joke.

Not to mention that Liu Zeqing had no fighting spirit whatsoever when it came to facing Li Zicheng, Luo Rucai, Yuan Shizhong, and the other rebel leaders, who were said to command millions. Just the Yellow River river bandits blocking the road, and the rebel forces along the way, were not foes the Shandong troops could easily handle.

If you want merit, take the tax bureau's patrols with you. Why drag me along to my death?

Yang Chuan raged inwardly, but these complaints absolutely could not be spoken aloud.

The matter lingered in his heart, leaving him in a terribly complicated mood, so much so that for a time he did not even know how to answer Zhu Cilang, much less how to deal with him.

Then again... wait? Deal with Qin Xia?

Yang Chuan paused in his thoughts and suddenly remembered something: the Yellow River bandits... the rebels along the road... dragging him toward death...

His mood abruptly calmed. He fixed his eyes on Zhu Cilang, and a smile slowly appeared.

"Haha... so that's how it is! You should have said so earlier!" Yang Chuan laughed, looking extraordinarily delighted, as though he had met a kindred spirit. "Did Yi Ming forget what I just said, about our Great Ming's Guo Ziyi? I know Commander Liu very well. Such a fine general has made it his lifelong goal to become our Great Ming's Guo Ziyi! When the realm is in turmoil, one thinks of worthy generals; and this soldier of our state has long been tempering himself and drilling elite troops, all for the sake of earning merit on the battlefield! It's just a pity he has suffered repeated persecution by villainous schemers, which is why he has lingered here all this time. Since Yi Ming wishes to win merit on the battlefield, the Commander will surely be overjoyed! This is a matter that benefits everyone!"

Zhu Cilang stared at Yang Chuan with a strange expression, watching this fellow display a masterful change of face. Yet he never imagined that, in the end, Yang Chuan would actually break into such an elated expression.

Could it be... that he had truly encountered a Liu Zeqing from another time and space? This fellow was no coward after all, and dared to fight wars?

What a joke.

Zhu Cilang gave a cold snort inwardly, but on his face he wore a look of pleasure, mixed with a touch of surprise and disbelief, and said to Yang Chuan, "So Scholar Dongshan means to agree?"

"Of course I agree!" Yang Chuan said with absolute certainty. "This is truly a case of floodwaters crashing into the Dragon King's temple, a family not recognizing its own kin! Let Commander Liu of Shanxi lead troops west with Yi Ming to relieve the siege of Kaifeng, and I, Yang Chuan, can guarantee that there will be no problem at all! Ah, Yi Ming need not worry so much. From now on, we are all family. Whatever it is, do not stand on ceremony!"

Zhu Cilang narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Oh? Then there is indeed something I would trouble Scholar Dongshan and the Commander about."

Yang Chuan's expression stiffened at once. This was truly like following a snake with a stick in hand.

Though he was grumbling inwardly, Yang Chuan absolutely did not dare refuse. He could only brace himself, his heart uneasy, and force out a grand and generous air. "We are family. Whatever it is, Yi Ming, just say it."

"I have heard that Liu Pei came from the Ministry of Works' Building and Repair Bureau. I imagine the two of you, being of the same household, must have considerable influence there. Speaking of which, I happen to want a few master kiln men. I wonder if that would be convenient?"

Yang Chuan immediately let out a long breath of relief. While cursing himself for being so loose-tongued, he hurriedly agreed. "Such a small matter is no problem! The Building and Repair Bureau still has seven kiln sites, large and small, all consolidated into major operations. There are more than six thousand strong young male artisan households, over three thousand households in all. Because of this, the court has to allocate grain and money every year, and it is truly a burden. If Yi Ming takes it over, he may even spare the court this expense, and perhaps accomplish a worthy deed beneficial to both state and people. Leave such a matter to me!"