Chapter 102 Waiting for an Uninvited Guest
Chen Biao hasn't seen his three brothers for a long time.
When Chen Biao was young, Zhu Yuanzhang's territory was still very small. Not to mention that Chen Ying had always been by his side, although Zhu Wenzhen and Li Wenzhong had followed Zhu Yuanzhang in his battles, they would come back several times a year.
Now Zhu Yuanzhang's territory was expanding rapidly, and his brothers were entrusted with important tasks, so they had no time to respond to Tian.
Chen Biao calculated in his mind that not seeing his brothers for more than a year like now might become the norm.
However, as Zhu Yuanzhang's territory expanded, the Chen family had more and more resources to draw upon. As Chen Biao grew older, his accumulated reputation allowed him to do more and more. So Chen Biao became busier, feeling that time flew by, and he didn't particularly miss them.
For example, in the second half of last year, they teamed up to bully Liao Yongzhong, built a shipyard from scratch, and then organized the New Year's Eve temple fair and Lantern Festival, and the time jumped directly to February of the following year.
Next came the tense and exciting admission of new students and the opening exams for old students. Uncle Tang and poor General Liao Yongzhong left hand in hand. After his attempt to escape from Yingtian failed, he began to lie down and play dead. It was already the end of March.
So Chen Biao really doesn't miss them that much.
Look around, look around.
Li Zhen was helpless: "Biao'er, Wen Zheng is injured, the carriage must be moving slowly, it won't arrive so soon."
Ever since Chen Biao learned that Zhu Wen was about to return, he would "pass by" the city gate every day to peek in, and then return disappointed after the gate closed.
Chen Biao defended himself: "I wasn't waiting for Brother Zheng, I was just passing by."
Li Zhen nodded. "Okay, okay, Biao'er is just passing through. I'll send someone to guard the post station and notify you when I know Wen Zheng is about to enter the city, okay?"
Chen Biao tiptoed to take a look and said disappointedly, "Oh, okay."
Li Zhen nodded with relief.
However, Chen Biao, as expected of a member of the Zhu family, agreed readily and never changed his ways. The next day, he passed by again.
Li Zhen had no choice but to give up, and took turns with Liao Yongan, Yan Qian, and Hua Yun to accompany Chen Biao through the city gate.
Chen Biao didn't just wait at the city gate every day. He would correct the students' homework in the small room on the city wall, and occasionally help the guards at the city gate with accounting. When he was bored, he would lie on the small window on the city wall and look at the people coming in and out of the city. He also caught a few spies from other forces disguised as caravans.
After Tang He was driven out of Yingtian by Zhu Yuanzhang, Hua Yun was forced to take over as the temporary garrison commander of Yingtian. Of course, he also had to do the work of a civil servant.
Zhu Yuanzhang tasted the sweetness of exploiting his subordinates and never turned back on the path of being a ruthless person.
Chen Biao caught the spy after watching at the city gate for a few days. Hua Yun was very curious. He held a stack of documents and worked with Chen Biao on the city wall, asking Chen Biao the reason.
Chen Biao said, "I can't tell when they're pretending to be anyone else, but I can tell when they're pretending to be businessmen. If I have to explain why, is it intuition? They don't have that kind of, uh, desire to make money."
After listening to this, Hua Yun observed for a long time with his eyes wide open, but he did not see any sign that the businessman was eager to make money. Instead, he caught a bandit who was pretending to be a merchant's guard and wanted to enter Yingtian City to gather information.
Chen Biao said, "Uncle Hua can see that he is not doing the right thing as a guard, and I can see that others are not doing the right thing as businessmen. The principle is the same."
Hua Yun understood. But that was no different from not understanding at all, because no one else could learn it anyway .
But it was quite interesting to follow Chen Biao on the tower every day, pointing at the passers-by and observing the various aspects of life. Hua Yun therefore fixed his office on the tower.
Soon, Yan Qian and Kang Maocai, who had just returned from the countryside, also came to work on the tower. Zhu Sheng and Ji Renshou would occasionally come over to visit.
Because of the addition of these big figures on the city wall, the interior layout has been slightly changed to make it more comfortable and spacious.
Ji Renshou realized that observing the various aspects of life could help students understand many truths, so he added a visit to the city gate to the daily labor class at Yingtian Primary School. The primary school students could also help the guards with some clerical chores.
Chen Biao poked his head out from the tower, looked at the students making noise at the city gate, and said, "At their age, it's time for military training."
Hua Yun was curious: "Military training?"
Chen Biao said, "It's military training. First, teach them how to be soldiers, then teach them how to become low-level officers, mid-level officers, and generals. Generals can be taught, but becoming a marshal depends on one's own talent."
Ji Renshou instinctively frowned, then relaxed his brows: "That's right. They will all lead troops in the future."
Ji Renshou habitually teaches these students as scholars, but after they have made meritorious contributions, these children may all go to the battlefield in the future.
Even if this generation pacifies the world, the cleanup work will still require at least another generation, or even two or three generations of effort. This will only be partial peace for the world, and there will be no shortage of wars on the borders.
Kang Maocai, who wasn't very familiar with Chen Biao, asked curiously, "Young Military Advisor, what do you think a good general needs to cultivate? Wisdom? Bravery?"
Chen Biao said, "Uncle Kang, just call me Biao'er. A good general only needs to learn one thing , and that is to train his troops. Most of the time, when two armies meet in a narrow road, the brave wins, and there is no need for strategy. A general must lead the battle, although he may lead the troops, but he does not necessarily have to be brave. As long as the troops are well trained, victory will be achieved."
Kang Maocai stroked his beard and said, "Biao'er, my child is much older than you. Perhaps I am older than your father. You should call me Uncle Kang."
Chen Biao said, "But my father asked me to call him Uncle Kang. Is it because Uncle Kang gave birth to a child earlier?"
Kang Maocai was puzzled: "Really? Since your father said so, then it should be."
Kang Maocai had never met Chen Guorui and didn't know his exact age, but since Chen Guorui had specifically taught him, there should be no problem.
Hua Yun and Yan Qian looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders quietly.
No, the Lord asked Biao'er to call Kang Maocai "Uncle", and it was definitely not because of the age issue. But it's better not to expose it now.
Hua Yun changed the subject: "Biao'er, what do you think is good soldier training?"
Chen Biao said: "Of course it is strict discipline."
Hua Yun said: "When asked to die, can you decisively die?"
Chen Biao said disdainfully, "Uncle Hua, are you really a good commander? How can you describe strict discipline as sending someone to their death? Even if it means sending someone to their death, there are different ways to do it."
Hua Yun continued to tease Chen Biao: "Then what kind of suicide mission would be considered the most disciplined army in your opinion?"
Chen Biao said, "I always say that we can't call it sending ourselves to die... The most strict discipline is, of course, 'freeze to death, don't demolish houses; starve to death, don't plunder.'"
Everyone was dejected and sighed together: "Yue Family Army..."
Zhu Sheng sighed: "To achieve this, General Yue must have a very high level of morality and education."
Chen Biao laughed and said, "That's not all. 'We'd rather die of cold than demolish houses, and we'd die of starvation than plunder' embodies more than just discipline. It encompasses complex training and deployment skills, which can't be achieved through mere indoctrination. Training, rewards and punishments, logistical support—everything must be kept up... Ah, there's definitely something fishy about that guy! Uncle Hua, quickly send someone to investigate!"
Chen Biao stopped talking halfway through, just as he had whetted everyone's appetite, and everyone looked displeased.
Chen Biao simply thought these people were angry about the arrival of another spy, and waved his finger and said, "It's that man, the one dressed very simply, who looks like a scholar!"
Seeing Chen Biao so excited, Hua Yun looked in the direction Chen Biao was pointing and said, "He doesn't look like a scholar, he must be a scholar, right?"
Chen Biao shook his head: "No, he is definitely not a scholar, but a civil servant!"
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then crowded at the window to look down.
"This unconcealable arrogance is indeed like that of an official."
"With his back so straight and his chin so high, he must be a high-ranking official."
"Could it be someone who has come to seek refuge with the lord?"
"It's obviously an envoy, right?"
"Then why don't you get down quickly!"
Although Hua Yun was a garrison commander, Yan Qian and Kang Maocai held lower ranks than Hua Yun. But after becoming acquainted, they were no longer polite to Hua Yun and both kicked him in the ass.
Hua Yun patted the shoe prints on his butt and cursed, "I'm going to go, why are you kicking me?"
Zhu Sheng stroked his beard and said, "I wonder when the lord will return."
Chen Biao said, "It should be soon. Chen Youding in the city has already arrived in Yingtian. The lord will definitely come back immediately."
Ji Renshou said worriedly, "Senior official... could this person be a lobbyist for the Yuan Dynasty?"
Zhu Sheng frowned. "Are you here to persuade the Lord to accept the offer of amnesty? The Lord will definitely not agree. If the Lord does not agree, will the Yuan Dynasty attack the Lord first?"
Chen Biao said: "No."
Zhu Sheng asked, "Why are you so sure?"
Chen Biao said, "The Chen family's caravan has a shop in Dadu and has been keeping an eye on the news from Dadu. The Yuan Emperor and the Crown Prince have been fighting, and the Crown Prince has just fled to Wang Baobao's territory. They will be in chaos for a long time and will not have time to pay attention to us for the time being."
Zhu Sheng and Ji Renshou didn't know much about the military developments in the north, so they both breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.
Kang Maocai said, "Since the thief Yuan has no time to care about us, then why did the senior official come to us? Are you here to seek refuge with the lord?"
Chen Biao said, "If he just comes for a formality, perfunctorily recites the order of the Great Yuan Emperor and then leaves, then we don't need to worry. But if he stays in Yingtian and makes friends with others, or even stays in Yingtian and is willing to serve the Lord, then we should be vigilant."
Yan Qian was puzzled: "Why?"
Chen Biao crossed his arms and said, "Think for yourself! Don't be like my dad, who only knows how to ask questions!"
Several adults chuckled, stopped asking questions, and started thinking for themselves.
Hua Yun has already gone downstairs.
The only dark, burly man in the city wearing the voluminous, scholarly robes was Hua Yun. Even the guards, though they hadn't necessarily seen Hua Yun before, greeted him uncertainly upon seeing him in his attire: "General Hua?"
Hua Yun nodded to the guard and said, "Please withdraw and continue guarding the gate. Sir, you are a high-ranking official from the Northern Yuan Dynasty, right? Are you here on a diplomatic mission? Please come in."
Zhang Chang hid his identity and disguised himself as a wealthy relative to enter the city. He was carefully observing the responses of the guards at the city gate and the expressions of the people passing by. When he heard Hua Yun's words, he was surprised. He didn't understand how his identity was exposed, and he didn't understand why he met a "general" under Zhu Yuanzhang as soon as he arrived at the city gate.
Logically speaking, the general shouldn't be at the city gate.
Zhang Chang looked at Hua Yun for a moment, his strange attire making his eyes slightly uncomfortable, and said with a bow, "General, have you recognized the wrong person?"
Hua Yun said, "No mistake. I can tell at a glance that you are a high-ranking official from the Northern Yuan Dynasty. A high-ranking official from the Northern Yuan Dynasty coming to Yingtian must be carrying an imperial edict from the dog emperor. Come with me, stay at the embassy first, and don't wander around."
As soon as Hua Yun finished speaking, a row of guards surrounded the carriage where Zhang Chang was.
Other people were looking around, and even those who were rushing to enter the city were no longer in a hurry. They all stood far away, craning their necks to watch.
When Hua Yun said "dog emperor", Zhang Chang's face immediately darkened. Seeing the guards surrounding him, Zhang Chang's face became even uglier.
Although he didn't know how Hua Yun knew his identity, since Hua Yun had already pointed it out, there was no point in him pretending any longer. Zhang Chang shook his sleeves, put one hand behind his back, and said with a stern face, "I am the Emperor Angel of the Great Yuan Dynasty. How dare you be rude to me!"
There was a loud "whoosh" from the crowd. It was like they were watching a juggler, and Zhang Chang's face darkened.
Hua Yun raised his eyelids and sneered, "It's precisely because you're some idiotic angel that I'm being rude to you. Even if that bastard Zhang Shicheng sent an envoy, I would have treated you with the utmost respect and courtesy. The purpose of our Ming Wang's uprising is to overthrow you, the traitorous Yuan Dynasty. Why should I be polite to you? Stop the lip service. Do you want to follow me, or do I have to tie you up?"
The guards all stepped forward, swords drawn.
Zhang Chang originally thought that the people under Zhu Yuanzhang would be more polite, but he didn't expect that the bandits were just bandits and were so rude.
He shook his sleeves again, snorted coldly, stopped talking nonsense with the bandits, turned around and got on the carriage.
Hua Yun also snorted coldly, waved his hand, and ordered the guards to lead the carriage into the city. After instructing the guards to guard the embassy to the death and not let anyone in or out, Hua Yun turned and went up to the city wall, not following them to the embassy.
Reception? Seeing how arrogant you are, I'd say I'm in a good mood if I didn't beat you up!
After Hua Yun walked up to the tower, he smiled at Chen Biao and said, "How is it? I am very imposing, right?"
Chen Biao gave Hua Yun a thumbs up: "Very good!"
Hua Yun was curious: "Mr. Zhu, Mr. Ji, I was so rude to him, won't you say something to me? Like, when two armies are fighting, don't kill the envoys or something like that?"
Zhu Sheng said angrily, "Didn't you not kill him?"
Ji Renshou snorted coldly: "Keep an eye on him, I want to see what he can do."
Hua Yun scratched the back of his head: "Do you know him?" Why is his attitude suddenly so bad?
Yan Qian said, "You two gentlemen, I suspect this man came to Yingtian not simply on a diplomatic mission, but perhaps with ulterior motives. With the Northern Yuan Dynasty currently in turmoil, he's probably worried we might take advantage of the chaos to attack the Northern Yuan, and he wants to stabilize us."
Hua Yun asked curiously, "Oh? How can he be stable?"
Yan Qian shook his head: "I don't know. I can only be more careful."
Kang Maocai glanced at Chen Biao and said, "Biaoer said that his proposal to surrender to the lord is the real problem. I don't understand this. Could it be that he saw that the Northern Yuan Dynasty was doomed and wanted to find a better future for himself ?"
Chen Biao said, "Uncle Liao said that he refused to surrender. Besides loyalty, another reason was that his entire family was under the command of the Lord, and he was afraid of bringing trouble to his family."
Kang Maocai frowned: "Biao'er, you don't have to tell me this!"
Chen Biao said, "Uncle Liao said it's okay to talk about it, and my lord also knows that he has an open and honest character, and there's nothing he can't talk about."
Liao Yongan's wife and concubine finally became pregnant. He was ecstatic and was preparing to move, so he was not with Chen Biao all the time these days.
Now that he has a child, Liao Yongan can't just stay in the Chen family's villa.
However, after arranging his family, Liao Yongan would still visit the Chen family every day, teaching Chen Biao about the navy and continuing to learn the wonderful "investigation of things" from Chen Biao.
Kang Maocai sighed, "General Liao is indeed a hero. But Biao'er, General Liao is younger than me, why do you call him uncle and me uncle?"
Chen Biao said, "My father said so. I'm also very confused, but my father said that's the right name. Is there any reason for this that I don't understand?"
Although Kang Maocai was puzzled, he didn't want to embarrass a child, so he said, "Since it's your father who said so, let's call him that for now."
Kang Maocai thought that he had to find an opportunity to ask Chen Guorui.
But how could he meet Chen Guorui? This was a big problem. The lord wouldn't let him go to the Chen family.
Hua Yun coughed dryly, interrupting Kang Maocai's hesitation: "Biao'er, are you saying that the guy's family is in the hands of the thieves, so it's impossible for him to voluntarily surrender to us?"
Chen Biao nodded. "Anyone who can hold a high position in the Yuan Dynasty must have a powerful family. How could he just abandon such a large family? Besides, he looks quite old, and his future prospects are limited. At his age, the most important thing is to have offspring and pass on the legacy."
Hua Yun stroked his beard and said, "That's right. Even if he marries a new wife at his age, he may not be able to have children. He defected to the lord, and his family was killed. Doesn't that mean he will have no descendants? What's the point of becoming a high-ranking official? After he dies, there will be nothing left."
Kang Maocai also understood: "So if he took the initiative to surrender to the lord, he must be in Ying Tianxin in Dadu, and he wants to sneak in and cause trouble here."
Chen Biao said, "That's definitely the case. As the lord's power grows, there will probably be more and more people like him. Or maybe someone has already infiltrated our ranks."
Hua Yun couldn't help but asked nervously, "Really? How do we kick them out?"
Chen Biao shook his head. "It's difficult. But not kicking is fine. As long as the lord can distinguish right from wrong, and strictly formulates and enforces laws, the ministers will act in accordance with the laws. Then, does it matter whether the minister is loyal or treacherous at heart? Judging by their deeds, not their hearts, they are loyal ministers, and they are loyal ministers to the lord."
As soon as Chen Biao said this, there was a hint of excitement in Zhu Sheng and Ji Renshou's eyes, and the corners of their mouths curled up to a terrifying degree.
Yan Qian was thoughtful for a moment, then he smiled and nodded: "Biao'er is absolutely right."
Kang Maocai was in a daze for a moment, and looked at Chen Biao with some surprise in his eyes.
Being able to say such words at such a young age, this world-famous little military strategist and little master really lives up to his reputation. He is not only intelligent, but also a brilliant man.
As long as the king is wise, then all loyal and treacherous people will become loyal subjects. But what kind of arrogant statement is this?
However, when Kang Maocai thought about the young military advisor's military achievements and fighting style, he was not too surprised that Chen Biao was so arrogant.
Hua Yun chuckled and said, "Biao'er, if that person really wants to stay, would you agree?"
Chen Biao spread his hands: "What's the point of me agreeing or not? It depends on whether the lord agrees or not."
Zhu Sheng suppressed his inner excitement and said, "If it were you, Biao'er, would you agree?"
Chen Biao said, "Yes. If he really wants to stay in Yingtian and do something, he must hold a high position and become the lord's confidant. As a high-ranking official of the Yuan Dynasty, how can he not use all his tricks to win the lord's favor? Before he achieves his goal, he will definitely be more loyal than a loyal minister and more virtuous than a wise man. The lord is short of people, and someone volunteered to do free work, isn't that good?"
Hua Yun said sarcastically, "If he betrays the lord in the end, he'll definitely lose his head. Without his life, all his fame and fortune will be gone. It really is all in vain."
Everyone couldn't help but smile.
Although this was very damaging, and although a gentleman shouldn't gloat over someone else's misfortune, Ji Renshou still almost couldn't hold back his laughter: "Biao'er, do you think the lord will keep him?"
"How would I know?" Chen Biao leaned over the windowsill. "Ah, Brother Zheng still didn't come today. Why is he so slow? Is Brother Zheng really seriously injured?"
Is Zhu Wenzhen, who is being thought about by Chen Biao, really seriously injured?
It wasn't very serious, at least it didn't prevent him from happily riding his horse to visit Li Wenzhong and Chen Ying after he lost his job.
"Alas, I was beaten by my adoptive father and lost my job. I can only answer the sky and accompany Biao'er. I am so miserable."
"Without an official position, I have nothing to do every day. I sleep until noon, then eat, drink and have fun with my boss. My life is so empty."
"I wonder if Biaoer has come up with some new dish, and whether it's savory or sweet. Having lost my job, I can only find solace in the delicious food Biaoer makes."
"Why are you just listening and not saying anything? You are my closest relatives and brothers, so why don't you comfort me, a poor guy who got beaten and lost his job?"
Zhu Wenzhen was very proud.
Li Wenzhong and Zhu Wenzhen had a fight, and Li Wenzhong chased Zhu Wenzhen for two blocks with a knife.
Chen Ying ordered his men to throw away all of Zhu Wenzhen's luggage, locked Zhu Wenzhen outside the general's mansion, and wrote a letter to Zhu Yuanzhang behind closed doors.
Zhu Wenzhen sighed and lamented, "People are so evil. I lost my official position, and even my brothers and relatives refused to take me in." The corners of his mouth rose wildly, and he responded to the sky with satisfaction.
When Zhu Yuanzhang learned about this, his letter had already been sent out urgently before the letters from Li Wenzhong and Chen Ying arrived.
You two little bastards! Don't imitate Zhu Wenzheng! If you dare to do that, I'll send both of you to Guangxi to fight, and you won't even think about answering the Heavenly Emperor this year!
Even that kid Zhu Wenzhen has to go to Guangdong to take up his post immediately after his injury recovers!
After receiving the letter, Li Wenzhong and Chen Ying sighed deeply and were forced to give up the idea of resigning from their official positions.
