Chapter 61

Hong Fugao sighed deeply and held Zhang Ke, "Yongzhen, as your teacher, I am the inspector of the Liaodong Dongning Circuit, responsible for investigating illegal activities and maintaining military discipline. If your brother is indeed wronged, I will risk my life to clear his name. I don't believe that Liaodong is no longer part of the Ming Empire and that there is no law here!"

Hong Fugao spoke with determination and strength, which greatly uplifted Shen's spirits, and hope reignited in her heart. She hurriedly bowed and kowtowed.

"Your Excellency Hong, I am deeply grateful for your kindness!"

Hong Fugao said, "Yongzhen, quickly help your mother up. Don't worry, everything is under my control."

Zhang Ke helped his mother stand up, and Shen kept wiping her tears.

"Mother, don't you trust what Master said? You should go rest first. I will discuss with Master and find a way to save my brother."

Shen nodded slightly and got up to leave. Zhang Ke saw her off. As soon as he turned around, his face darkened, and his brows knitted tightly.

"Yongzhen, why are you still frowning? Are you worried that I can't help you?"

Zhang Ke sighed deeply, "Master, let me speak my mind. This matter is deeply entangled. If we mishandle it, not only will we fail to save my brother, but we might also lose our lives!"

Yang Long, hearing this, immediately widened his eyes and asked in surprise, "Second Master, weren't you just full of confidence? Why are you saying this now?"

"Ah, that was to calm my mother for the moment! Yang Long, tell me, what happened after the merchant convoy was detained?"

Yang Long scratched his head, "I don't know much, but I heard that many merchants and gentry jointly petitioned the court. Also, the soldiers at Fengji Fort rioted over unpaid wages, and the Tartars took advantage of the situation, breaking through two watchtowers and killing thousands of people. When I left, my brother told me that the charges against him were harming merchants, delaying military operations, causing a mutiny, and allowing the Tartars to invade, resulting in heavy casualties!"

Yang Long grew increasingly angry, "These corrupt officials are pushing all the blame onto my brother. If it weren't for General He's protection, he would have been executed by military law. But my brother said he wouldn't survive, so he sent me to deliver silver and a letter."

After listening, Zhang Ke's eyes narrowed into a sharp gaze, and he quickly analyzed the situation in his mind.

Hong Fugao picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Yongzhen, as long as what Yang Long said is true, your brother won't die. Not only will he not die, but he will also be a meritorious official! The situation in Liaodong is chaotic. Have they not suffered enough from the Jurchens? They are even smuggling old iron, which the Jurchens can turn into steel weapons to come back and kill them! I am going to Liaoyang, and I will thoroughly investigate this case, catch some big rats, and set an example to boost morale!"

As he spoke, Hong Fugao slammed his hand on the table, making a loud noise!

He had been holding back for a long time. As a Juren from Liaodong, Hong Fugao had very few connections in the capital. During the later years of Emperor Wanli, the "quiet governance" policy left many positions unfilled, and there was no room for new Juren to advance. Many Juren, after passing the exam, lived in Chang'an, borrowing money daily, waiting for opportunities, and often ended up in tears after years of hard study.

Hong Fugao was even worse off, unable to borrow money and forced to return to Liaodong to teach. This is why Zhang Ke could become his disciple. Otherwise, with Liaodong's resources, they couldn't afford to hire a Juren as a teacher.

Of course, everyone has their moment. After the Battle of Sarhu, the situation in Liaodong deteriorated. As a native of Liaodong, Hong Fugao had a natural advantage. He received letters from former classmates, saying that the court was planning to appoint officials familiar with border affairs.

At the beginning of the year, Hong Fugao left some time for Zhang Ke and hurried back to the capital. The court first assigned him to serve tea and water in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, attending to superiors. After more than half a year, he was directly promoted to the position of inspector, a fifth-rank official!

According to Ming Dynasty conventions, the inspector was a high-ranking official. Although the rank was low, in the war zone, even the highest-ranking generals had to follow his orders. No matter how capable a general was, he could not match an official who passed the imperial exams.

This was the reason why Hong Fugao was furious when he heard that Zhang Ke had joined the army. Instead of following the bright path of a civil career, he chose to become a military man, ruining his future. How could this not make his teacher angry!

However, Hong Fugao was also under pressure. He had no powerful connections in the capital, and his only hope was to achieve real results. This case provided him with an opportunity, and he was ready to take action.

"Master, I dare to say this, but I will handle the matter of saving my brother alone. It's best if Master does not get involved!"

Hong Fugao immediately widened his eyes and looked at Zhang Ke in surprise.

"Yongzhen, what do you mean? Do you think your brother did something illegal, and it's inconvenient for me to intervene?"

"Of course not!" Zhang Ke said, "I trust my brother."

"Then you don't trust me?"

"Master, let me share my thoughts, and let Yang Long also provide some input."

Zhang Ke thought for a moment and then said, "The Jurchens have ten thousand armored soldiers, with the elite wearing double or even triple layers of armor, better equipped than our Ming soldiers."

Yang Long nodded in agreement, "Second Master is right. I have fought the Jurchens personally, and I am ashamed to say that we only had old and worn-out armor, which was far inferior to the Jurchens."

"From this, we can see that the Jurchens have the ability to mine and smelt iron, but most of the materials are smuggled by unscrupulous merchants!"

Hong Fugao said, "Yongzhen is right. Without these traitors, the Jurchens wouldn't have grown so powerful!"

"Master, the court has repeatedly banned the smuggling of iron and grain to the Jurchens, yet some people still do it openly, knowing that it will cost them their heads, and knowing that the Jurchens will come to attack them. I believe, besides greed, there is another explanation: the Jurchens have evidence against Ming generals and wealthy merchants. If this evidence is revealed, they will be dead. Therefore, they are forced to follow the Jurchens!"

As Zhang Ke spoke, he gradually saw through the historical fog. The rise of the Jurchens was mysterious, and the Battle of Sarhu was confusing. Despite the Qing Dynasty's efforts to destroy historical records and alter history, some clues remain. Over ten years, the Jurchens had already corrupted the Liaodong military group led by Li Chengliang, feeding and corrupting them. Now, they were just reaping the rewards.

The dead are gone, but their evil remains!

Li Chengliang's crimes are unforgivable!

Zhang Ke slowly paced the ground, speaking as he walked, "My brother accidentally uncovered the smuggling, and if investigated, it will cause chaos. Many people will be implicated. They will fight back, framing my brother to put him to death. Master, to save my brother, we will have to oppose the Liaodong military and even powerful figures behind the scenes. Exposing their crimes will lead to a fierce counterattack. I am worried that Master might not be able to handle it!"

Hearing Zhang Ke's analysis, Hong Fugao couldn't help but take a deep breath. His boiling blood instantly cooled. He wanted to investigate the case, but he didn't want to fight a losing battle. Li Chengliang was dead, but he had given many people benefits over the years. The entire court, both inside and outside, had received his favors. Fighting such a powerful entity could lead to his own destruction.

"Yongzhen, perhaps this matter is not so complicated. The problem might only involve merchants or some minor officials."

"I hope so, but I must prepare for the worst!"

Hong Fugao looked at his disciple. When he was studying, he only thought Zhang Ke was pure-hearted and good at studying. Now, he saw that he was meticulous, calm, and had a deeper understanding of the situation than himself. He was truly a rare talent.

"Yongzhen, if it really is as you predict, do you have a plan to save your brother?"

"Of course, we will use force if we can, and intelligence if we can't. I believe the Ming Empire is not yet a place where right and wrong are ignored!"

"Spoken well! You are worthy of being my disciple. Yongzhen, I can't guarantee success, but I will do my best to help you."

"Thank you, Master. I will prepare and leave for Shenyang tomorrow to see my brother's situation and make a decision."

After discussing with his master, Zhang Ke sent Hong Fugao to rest and immediately began to act. He called over Qiao Tieshan, Yue Xuan, Qiao Fu, Qiao Gui, and Wu Boyan.

Zhang Ke briefly explained the situation, and Qiao Tieshan immediately slammed his hand on the table.

"Feng grew up under my watch. He would never do anything illegal. The Ming Empire is full of corrupt officials who frame good people!"

"Uncle Qiao, it's no use talking. We must act to save him. I need to leave for Shenyang immediately, and I will leave the family in your hands!"

Qiao Tieshan nodded quickly, "Do you have any instructions? I will follow them!"

"Yes, Uncle Qiao, after I leave, bring my mother and Xiaoxue to He Bay Village and protect them. That place is safe. As for Fengji Fort, temporarily hand it over to Tang Bi, but be cautious. My brother's situation is serious, and it might affect the family."

"I will remember. Don't worry about the family. You should bring some people and gold with you. Saving someone requires money."

Zhang Ke nodded in agreement, "Have Qiao Fu and Wu Boyan select twenty of the best men to follow me. Also, take all the gold from Heishan Pass, about five taels, and one hundred thousand taels of silver."

Everyone nodded and went to prepare. Zhang Ke hurried to the back study and found two wooden boxes containing the two almost magical ginseng roots.

"Brother, I am putting everything on the line. May our father protect you. You must not die!"

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