Chapter 87: The Big Picture (Fourth Update, Seeking Monthly Votes!)

*Slap!* Yu Jing’s face turned purple with anger. He had always attributed the clear governance of the Song Dynasty to the strict supervision of the censors. He never imagined that in this remote Lingnan region, there could be such a corrupt army. It was easy to guess that the civil officials who supervised them were no better!

"Who would have thought that under the clear sky, such corrupt and filthy things could happen!" He slammed the petition onto the table, his hair standing on end with rage. "No wonder a 200,000-strong army was routed by a few thousand barbarians. The reason is right here! Truly shocking, truly shocking!"

Seeing how angry he was, Chen Ke felt a great weight lifted from his heart, thinking that his father might be saved.

"Do you have any solid evidence?" Yu Jing looked at him and said solemnly, "If you do, I can immediately rescue your father!"

"The evidence is hidden by my father," Chen Ke said softly, "and only he knows where it is."

"I see..." Yu Jing stroked his beard, thinking for a moment, and then said solemnly, "I will write a memorial and send it to the capital along with your petition, requesting the emperor to send an envoy or authorize me to investigate this case." He paused and explained, "Although I have the authority to make decisions on the spot, this case is different from the current war."

"Yes," Chen Ke replied, though he didn't entirely agree, but what could he do? The other person was the big boss.

"Take this young man to eat," Yu Jing instructed his attendants, "I need to write a memorial."

"General," before he finished speaking, his personal guard appeared at the door, saluting and reporting, "We have finished our meal and are ready to set off."

"Hmm," Yu Jing thought for a moment, "Let's go on the boat and talk about it there." He smiled at Chen Ke, "Young friend, you will travel with me. First, it will ensure your safety; second, this case may require your cooperation at any time."

"..." Chen Ke hesitated. His original intention was to leave after finishing his business. After all, for the weaker side, it was better to be in the dark than in the open. If he was betrayed by someone, wouldn't returning to Hengyang be like walking into a trap?

But the power disparity was like that between an elephant and an ant. The elephant didn't need to consider the ant's feelings. Yu Jing just asked symbolically and left without waiting for his opposition.

"Come on, kid," a few imperial guards patted Chen Ke's shoulder, grinning maliciously, "You're big, let's practice on the boat?"

Chen Ke ignored the provocation of the imperial guards. He knew he had no choice but to follow... Yu Jing got into an eight-man sedan chair, with banners and halberds leading the way, displaying his authority. However, the speed was slow. In the past, with his temper, he would have been anxious. But today, he didn't urge them, and instead, he closed the curtains and closed his eyes, deeply engrossed in thought about this massive case.

His thoughts had already shifted from initial righteous indignation to more practical considerations... With his experience, how could he not know that once this case was exposed, at least dozens of heads would roll, and hundreds would lose their positions. In the worst case, the entire military and political system of Lingnan would be uprooted!

As the安抚使 (pacification commissioner) of the two Guangnan regions, he would become a lone commander. Who would help him reorganize the army? Who would help him pacify the people? Who would help him quell the rebellion?

Yu Jing couldn't help but shudder. As a loser in the Qingli Party Struggle, he had been exiled from the center of power for nearly ten years. Unlike Ouyang Yongshu, who could寄托山水 (find solace in nature), or Fan Zhongyan, who could travel and benefit the world, his value as a censor could only be realized by the emperor's side. Once he left Bianliang, the emperor no longer paid attention to his memorials, and no one cared about his words. His life was like a living death.

Now, after years of hardship, he finally had the chance to return to the center of the stage. He had long sworn to himself... He must not fail again. He must resolve this rebellion beautifully, just like Ming Xianggong and Wen Xianggong, and be appointed as a chancellor with a grand ceremony!

He suddenly remembered the strange words that Chancellor Han said to him before he left, in the White Tiger Hall of the Military Council...

After granting him all the seals, credentials, and documents, Chancellor Han Qi sat next to him and said meaningfully, "Yu Gong, this campaign is crucial to the fate of the nation. You must not be careless... Let me be frank, Liao and Western Xia have already agreed to a ceasefire and are waiting to see the outcome of our campaign in Lingnan. If we quickly quell the rebellion, everything will be fine. But if this battle drags on or we suffer repeated defeats, the day when the two enemies turn their weapons against us will not be far off."

"I need more guidance from you, Chancellor," Yu Jing, who had never been in a war, was already nervous. Thinking of Han Qi as a scholar-general from the northwest, he humbly asked.

"Your seniority and experience surpass mine, so I cannot give you much guidance," Han Qi shook his head and smiled, "But there is one thing I must advise you to be cautious about."

"Um..." Yu Jing nodded and listened as Han Qi slowly said, "Your hatred of evil must be tempered. You are no longer one of the four censors, but the commander of the two Guangnan regions. As a commander, you must consider the big picture... The big picture is to quickly quell the rebellion. Compared to this, everything else is trivial."

Pausing, Han Qi sighed, "Even a fool can see that there are many problems in Lingnan..." Perhaps because he had been with the troops for too long, Han Qi occasionally let out a curse, which startled the civil officials. But because of this, no one dared to confront the rough and aggressive Chancellor Han.

But at this moment, Yu Jing didn't care about these things. He listened as Han Qi continued, "I am most worried that you will forget you are a commander and act like a censor."

"Chancellor, you underestimate me," Yu Jing raised his thick eyebrows and glared, "I will make a military oath to you. No matter what dirty things I see, as long as they do not affect the war, I will set them aside and deal with them after victory."

"Good!" Han Qi clapped his hands in approval, "With this, I am reassured... At the time, I thought Han Qi was worried about my temper, but now, Yu Jing realized that every word seemed to have a deeper meaning!"

Thinking of this, he shivered in the heat... Han Qi, the long-time head of the Military Council, could not be unaware of the corruption in the Lingnan army. Was it that he had no choice but to let it be, or was he their protector? Either way, it was a clear hint to him not to meddle in other matters besides quelling the rebellion...

Even as the official boat left the dock, Yu Jing was still in a daze. After being served by the attendant, he wiped his face and regained some composure.

"General, do you need to write a memorial?" the attendant asked softly, "If so, I will prepare the ink."

"..." Yu Jing's voice became dry and harsh, and he stared at the attendant with cold eyes, "Did I instruct you to do so?"

"You were instructed by the General at the inn," the attendant said in fear.

"Times have changed..." Yu Jing sighed deeply, closed his eyes, and said, "Watch that young man carefully. Do not let anyone approach him, and do not let anyone know of his existence. No one, understand?"

"Yes, sir," the attendant responded solemnly... At Yu Jing's command, two imperial guards were posted outside Chen Ke's cabin. They kept out those who wanted to cause trouble, but Chen Ke himself couldn't leave. He had to take care of all his needs in a cabin with no windows and only one door.

Fortunately, this lasted only two days, or he would have gone mad.

At first, the attendant said it was for his safety, and he believed it. But when they arrived in Hengyang and he was forced to change into imperial guard armor and was escorted off the boat, Chen Ke saw Yu Jing meeting and chatting with the officials of Hunan and the two Guang regions. His heart sank...

Although he could understand it as a pretense before the confrontation, Chen Ke still felt a strong sense of unease. He suddenly felt that Yu Jing's righteous face seemed somewhat blurry.

Was the memorial really sent, as the attendant said? Chen Ke was no longer sure.

Hengyang was the seat of the Hengzhou government, and the officials of the Jingnan region had already prepared the government office for the pacification commissioner.

Chen Ke was in the center of the imperial guards, but he still saw a shiny bald head through the crowd... He saw Venerable Xuan Yu without his hat, touching his bald head.

'This guy has a keen eye,' Chen Ke thought, surprised that he could recognize him.

Entering the government office, Chen Ke was still under house arrest. He was kept alone, and his meals, washing, and other needs were taken care of, but he still had no freedom.

For Chen Ke, enduring this was already a miracle. If it weren't for Chen Xiliang, he would have found a way to escape long ago.

But his patience had its limits. If he couldn't see through Yu Jing's deception and manipulation by now, he would be a fool!

He decided to leave this place!

There was a low willow tree in the courtyard, and he spent his days whistling various tunes with willow leaves. The imperial guards, who had never heard these tunes, found them very pleasant, so no one stopped him...

I will not distort the character of any great person for the sake of the story. Instead, I will create a story that fits their character.