Chapter Six: The Human Heart

  In front of Zhu Ciyan, behind Wei Yue, there were several impressive military officers. At this time, a man with a lean face couldn't help but move, and although it was inconvenient to speak in such a situation, his expression on his face was clear. This military officer wholeheartedly agreed with Zhu Ciyan's words ten million times over.

  That's why these strange expressions appear on his face.

  "What is said today, must be kept confidential and not spread outside."

  Zhu Ciyan threw out a sentence that even he didn't believe, and then arrived in front of Wei Yue and several other military officers who still looked decent. He shook his head and strode away with large steps.

  What has been done today is already enough, anything more would be gilding the lily.

  And if the news spreads, who knows how many people will be gossiping about it!

  He didn't believe it, the Imperial Guards in Beijing had at least 158,000 on record, and within the Forbidden City there were thousands of imperial guardsmen, over a thousand military officers, apart from those present, he couldn't find any better ones!

  There are indeed heroes who, relying on their own gradually improving performance, are not afraid of being unable to find good subordinates!

  These are naturally to be strived for. He does things in such a way that once he starts, he must do them well. As long as he puts in his best effort, the outcome doesn't matter too much!

  ……

  ……

  The crown prince left amidst the cheers of the crowd, and the atmosphere in the entire schoolyard immediately came alive.

  Many of the military officers were clenching their fists and puffing out their chests, while others had thoughtful expressions on their faces, but it was unclear what they were thinking about. Hundreds of eunuchs of all sizes surrounded them in a circle, pointing at the imperial guards and discussing and laughing among themselves, but from a distance, it was also unclear what these eunuchs were talking nonsense about.

  No matter how important national affairs are, it is likely that these people with physical disabilities and subtle characters also do not know the pros and cons.

  More people gathered in front of Wei Yue, with nothing but congratulations on their lips.

  "Brother Wei, you really are showing your face in the capital's camp!"

  "This time the Crown Prince bestowed a sword, in the future, I'm afraid Wei Da Ge will rise step by step, at least he can get a hereditary title of commander."

  "Lao Wei, do you still remember the time we had a drinking contest? We drank a whole bottle of liquor and ate peanuts until we were completely drunk... when can we have another round like that?"

  "The Crown Prince is probably going to choose a martial arts instructor, I heard that the young master has been very interested in archery and martial arts lately, practicing hard every day in the East Palace. If he reports to the Emperor and selects an instructor as his companion, Old Wei, this time you really are stepping on dog shit - you've encountered great good fortune!"

  Everyone spoke in unison, all flattering and congratulating, but Wei Yue's face grew increasingly gloomy.

  The young master has ambitions for martial arts, and many people in the imperial court know about this. This is nothing unusual, as the emperor himself is also skilled in archery and horsemanship, unlike the Wanli Emperor of the Shenzong dynasty who hid deep within the palace, or the Tianqi Emperor who enjoyed carpentry. The Chongzhen Emperor of our dynasty excels at both literature and martial arts; let's not mention his literary talents, which are beyond the understanding of rough men like us, but rather how he suppresses the civil officials, rendering them immobile. The events of the Wanli era are too distant, and there are hardly any people left who remember them clearly. However, many people still recall the events of the Tianqi era vividly, whether they were spoken in front of or behind the emperor's back; yet, not a few officials had disagreements with the Tianqi Emperor.

  The current emperor is revered as a sage ruler, being strong and diligent in governance. For over a decade, he has not neglected his duties for even a single day. He is not lustful, nor greedy for wealth and goods. Every day, he personally reviews the memorials presented to him, never delegating this task to others, including the eunuchs, whose power and influence are greatly diminished compared to previous years.

  Wu's martial side is also worth mentioning. He can ride a horse and draw a strong bow. When he followed King Xiang into the palace, the precious sword at his waist wasn't just for show!

  There is a holy and martial emperor, I think it's better to find companions to practice martial arts together, the emperor will not disapprove.

  But Wei Yue didn't know why, he just couldn't get into it!

  Looking back on those years, when I followed the army to go out for a battle, how spirited and heroic it was. Tens of thousands of troops stretched as far as the eye could see, flags and banners covered the sky and sun, and when the drums were beaten, they shook people's eardrums in pain.

  But how in the end?

  Many heroes were also born to their parents, but they were ruined by the emperor's hands and those literary ministers who only knew how to talk but didn't understand anything!

  At this point, Wei Yue also saw eight or nine out of ten, thinking about his own experience, a heroic heart that had cooled down could no longer be rekindled.

  Even if the young master is somewhat extraordinary now, he is still far from being able to take charge of state affairs. Moreover, a minor brother can really understand how much? The emperor is not yet established, and people all say that it is a wise ruler, but everything in the country is done in a sloppy manner. How much determination and ambition does this young master have to really hold up this crumbling country?

  Seeing his gloomy expression, those who came to curry favor with him quietly dispersed.

  Those with the surname Wei are unappreciative, and it's not worth really fawning over them. They're just a selected vanguard, hereditary hundred households, but now the capital camp is short of soldiers. Military officers above the rank of hundred households might be plentiful.

  Wei Yue was originally an outcast in the Jingying Camp, and at this time he didn't care about it either. When he heard Ishikawa announce the dismissal, he took big strides towards the outside of the courtyard.

  Behind him, several military officers exchanged glances, but they firmly followed Wei Yue, who was walking with his head down.

  It wasn't until they reached the horse-tying area that Li Gong, with a serious expression, held back Wei Yue and said in a low voice: "Wei Da, what's going on?"

  "What's going on?" Wei Yue said in a low voice: "You want to fawn over me, just go. I don't have such thoughts, and it's fine to muddle along like this now. If you provoke me into taking shifts, kneeling on the ground every day to pay respects, and flattering with small intentions, then I can only pretend to be ill."

  "What nonsense are you talking about?" Wang Yuan, a stout and robust man with an iron-like body, was furious upon hearing Wei Yue's words. He glared at him with his round eyes and shouted: "We owe our lives to you, Charcoal Wei, how can we abandon you to seek wealth and glory?"

  "It's not what I meant, brothers shouldn't quarrel with each other." Li Gong was the most stable in nature, he waved his hand to stop Wang Yuan and others, but stared at Wei Yue, saying: "Did you hear my words just now?"

  "We've heard it clearly." Wei Yue finally let out a sigh, looked around cautiously to make sure no one was eavesdropping, and then said to the crowd: "My words are very clear. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the military situation ahead is dire, and it's obvious that we'll suffer a crushing defeat if things go as I've said."

  "Sun Chuanting is defeated, and everything will be over."

  "It's all said." Wang Yuan's expression also became solemn: "Thinking of entering the mountain, I remembered Songshan again."

  "But today, even Songshan is no longer around." Wei Yue's expression was dismal as he spoke to the crowd: "After Songshan left, the imperial court could still barely maintain a facade, and the deployment of troops was still somewhat effective. Now you see, without Hong Zhigui, Lu Dajiang, or even Yang Sichang and Chen Xingjia, such figures are all gone. Several elderly ministers, although upright and honest, have no particular abilities. If Sun Chuanting leaves again, the imperial court will truly not have a single great military leader left. As for Zuo Liangyu, that useless coward, we still don't know what his true intentions are! Brothers, under these circumstances, we cannot help but be cautious!"

  "Wei Da is right." Wang Yuan was the most straightforward, listening to reason, and was the first to express his agreement: "At present, this situation can only be avoided. The emperor does not care about the hungry soldiers, we have sold our lives and made efforts, now even the salary cannot be paid! In short, it's all suffering... Why do the royal family enjoy the fat while we are the ones who make sacrifices?"

  Li Gong also nodded, but then asked: "If the young master really guessed our intentions and was transferred to the Eastern Palace to serve... what would happen? After all, we are still Ming dynasty warriors, and we can't openly disobey orders."

  "If it's really not possible, then just go through the motions. Wei Yue hesitated and said: "The young master is still young and his temperament is not yet settled, I think he may not be able to persist for long."

  "Alright, it's settled then." Li Gong smiled at first, but immediately afterwards, his face turned gloomy.

  After all, as a subject of the great Ming dynasty, making such plans and taking such actions, yet feeling extremely strange and uneasy in one's heart.

  Wei Yue didn't say anything else and didn't look back, he just led his horse and hurried away.

  Only Wang Yuan took down the treasured sword from Wei Yue's waist, pulled it out and examined it repeatedly. After a while, he finally said: "Huh, indeed a fine sword!"