Chapter 412: Death of the Duke
The capital was still suffering in the ice and snow, but the climate in Yunnan was pleasant, and a cotton gown was enough. As for the cloak, it was useless in Yunnan unless one was physically weak and afraid of the cold.
Outside the Duke of Qian's mansion, several soldiers stood upright.
Several scholars were waiting outside, led by Mu Chaobi's adviser Zhang Qian.
More than ten riders arrived outside the palace, and everyone saluted, "Greetings, Governor!"
Mu Chaobi, who was short and stocky with gloomy eyes, dismounted and asked, "Did Chen complain?"
Zhang Qian came forward and said with a smile, "That woman said that His Majesty would make the decision for the Mu family, and she also complained that Mu Gong's residence was not good... and wanted to go to the capital."
Chen was Mu Gong's biological mother.
There was a flash of murderous intent in Mu Chaobi's eyes. "Going to the capital, are you going to turn against me?"
Zhang Qian said, "If they go to the capital, the court will say that the governor is ruthless. Public opinion will be in an uproar. If the news spreads to Yunnan, it will be quite unfavorable to the governor."
"What about those chieftains?" Mu Chaobi asked vaguely.
Zhang Qian knew what he was thinking, "Most of those chieftains only follow the governor's lead. Even if it is... they will stand on the governor's side."
"appropriate!"
Mu Chaobi strode into the Duke of Qian's Mansion.
"Meet the Governor!"
"Meet the Governor!"
Officials saluted along the way.
Passing through the government office, there is a different world behind. Even in the cold winter, there are still flowers blooming here.
Mu Chaobi walked through the path and stopped outside a temple.
"Although the Duke has inherited the title, Mu Chaobi is unwilling to hand over power. This Duke is just a figurehead. Mu Chaobi has evil ambitions, Madam, please be careful!"
"I know he has evil intentions, but he is a vicious man. If he doesn't hand over his power, can we, an orphan and a widow, fight him with bare hands?"
The person who spoke was Chen, the biological mother of Duke Qian.
"mother!"
"Hey! Is the Duke hungry? Someone, get the wet nurse."
It was not uncommon for children from wealthy families to still be breastfed until they were four or five years old. The Mu family was wealthy and had several wet nurses in their house who could take turns feeding them.
A maid came out and exclaimed, "Governor." when she saw Mu Chaobi.
Mu Chaobi snorted coldly and walked in.
Chen was young, short, and had a slightly round face. The woman opposite looked quite strong. When they saw Mu Chaobi, they were startled and immediately stood up to salute.
Mu Chaobi glanced at the two of them and looked at the child sitting next to Chen.
Mu Gong was only three years old, and he was swinging a rattle in his hand.
Boom boom boom!
Mu Chaobi said coldly: "If I give the power to the Duke, will the Duke be able to take charge? Hmm!"
Chen looked up and said, "The Duke can appoint his subordinates to govern Yunnan."
"Appointment? Does the Duke know the officials in Yunnan? Does he know the real situation of Yunnan? Does he know which chieftains are the most powerful? Which ones have ulterior motives?"
Seeing that Chen was at a loss for words, Mu Chaobi said sarcastically, "If it weren't for me, this place would have become the chieftains' lair. You and your son would have become their slaves. Power? Power that cannot be held will only bring disaster!"
"The Duke is a member of the imperial court. He was appointed by His Majesty as the Duke of Qian. The governor should have assisted him wholeheartedly, but what is the governor doing now? Is he forcing the Duke? Is this the way of a minister?"
Chen said sternly, "When the Duke writes a memorial to the capital, won't the governor be afraid of the wrath of the emperor?"
"Haha!" Mu Chaobi narrowed his eyes, a cold light flashing in his eyes, "Bitch, you have a sharp tongue, do you really think I have a good temper!"
Chen took a step back, picked up Mu Gong, and said vigilantly: "What do you want to do? The previous Duke died unclearly. If the Duke does it again... Mu Chaobi, His Majesty will be furious, and the army will definitely march south. You and those villains will definitely die without a burial place!"
Mu Chaobi clenched his fists and suddenly smiled, "You guys take good care of the Duke, and as for the rest... I will do my best to assist the Duke."
He turned and went out, until he reached the front, he stopped and said to Zhang Qian: "Someone is giving advice to Chen, trying to force the court to take action against me. Zhang Qian!"
"Commander-in-chief!" Zhang Qian was a little excited. "Just seal off the backyard and cut off the mother and son from contacting the outside world. The commander-in-chief can decide the rest."
"No!"
Mu Chaobi looked at the officials coming and going with his hands behind his back. "Yunnan is my Mu family's Yunnan. Mu family affairs are also my Yunnan affairs. What does it have to do with the court? I have been in charge of Yunnan for several years, and I think I have done a good job. But the court has a different opinion of me. If this continues, sooner or later the bow will be put away after the bird is gone."
"The governor's intention is..."
"Since the court is unkind, don't blame me, Mu Chaobi, for being unjust!" Mu Chaobi's eyes were fierce, "If Mu Gong is gone, who is closer to me in terms of bloodline?"
“Governor!” Zhang Qian’s heart tightened. “If Mu Gong died, the court would inevitably speculate that it was the governor’s doing…”
"So what?" Mu Chaobi said, "Yunnan is located in the southwest. Not only is it remote, but the local situation is also complicated. Unless the court sends a large army south, there is no way to shake the foundation of our Mu family. In addition, once the court sends troops, don't forget Altan!"
Zhang Qian whispered: "Altan will definitely go south. But this is with the Mongols..."
"At this point, why are you still worried about these things!" Mu Chaobi looked at him sideways, his eyes flashing with a cold light like a ghost fire, "Since the court won't give me the title of Duke of Qian, then I will take it myself!"
Zhang Qian took a deep breath and said, "Yes."
……
"Don't worry," Chen said while holding the Duke of Qian who had just finished breastfeeding, "Mother has sent a memorial to the capital. Mu Chaobi has been forcing my mother and me too much. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and let my mother and me go to the capital to hide. The emperor and his ministers will be furious when they see this memorial. Even for the sake of face, they will scold Mu Chaobi and help my mother and me... At that time, my son, the Duke, will be the real Duke."
"lady!"
A maid asked in a trembling voice: "What are you waiting for?"
Chen and Mu Gong looked up and saw Zhang Qian standing outside the palace gate with dozens of soldiers.
The sunlight was blocked outside the temple, and jagged shadows were cast inside.
"Mom! I'm scared!" Duke Mu Gong of Qian turned around and hugged his mother.
Chen stood up and said coldly, "What do you want to do? Where do you want to force me and my son to go? Let Mu Chaobi come in person... Never mind, come here, come here, prepare the car, the Duke and I will go to the capital now, and please let His Majesty make the decision for us mother and son!"
Zhang Qian looked at her calmly, "You are a smart person, but unfortunately..."
Chen suddenly realized, "Mu Chaobi wants...someone to come, someone to come!"
It was quiet outside and no one responded.
The guards, maids and attendants were all standing in the yard, respectfully saluting the man in front of them.
"Meet the Governor!"
Mu Chaobi stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "The time has come."
The soldiers in helmets and armor looked at Chen's mother and son indifferently. Zhang Qian raised his hand and said, "Do it!"
"Mu Chaobi, you dare...ah!"
"Mu Chaobi, even if I go to the underworld, I will curse you to die a miserable death..."
On the second day, news came from the Duke of Qian's Mansion that the Duke was seriously ill.
Doctors came in and out with solemn expressions, and medicinal materials were delivered into the mansion like water. Some people said that even if the Duke was given the medicine to bathe every day, it would last for ten years.
On the third day, cries of grief suddenly came from the Duke's Mansion.
"The Duke...is gone!"
Mu Chaobi summoned civil and military officials and announced the news with great sorrow.
"The Duke is gone. You all should perform your duties. During this extraordinary period, you are not allowed to leave without permission." Mu Chaobi seemed sad, but people who were familiar with him could see that he was in a good mood at the moment.
"Send a quick horse to report this to the court. Remember, be quick!"
Then they dispersed.
Mu Chaobi sat there. Although he had been very busy these days, he was a little excited at the moment.
"Duke, why are you reporting so quickly?" Someone said, "If we report slower, we will have more time and can make arrangements at our leisure."
Mu Chaobi said, "The Jinyiwei are keeping an eye on the Duke's Mansion and me. Last time, our people were a step slower and seemed to have ulterior motives. This time, we must deliver the news before the Jinyiwei. Remember, we must not give the court an excuse."
"Your Excellency, Duke." Zhang Qian slapped his forehead as he spoke, "Look at my memory, Commander-in-Chief, your Excellency, you have a good opinion." He glanced at the general who had called Mu Chaobi Duke before, "In this extraordinary period, please bear with it for a while."
The general was called Jiang Shun, and he was Mu Chaobi's trusted general. Jiang Shun said, "The emperor is far away, so why should we be afraid of him? If you have the guts, then lead a large army to attack. Otherwise, Yunnan will belong to the governor from now on."
Mu Chaobi said coldly, "What are you talking about?"
Jiang Shun chuckled and said, "Yes, I made a mistake."
Zhang Qian said: "Don't forget that there are people in the capital who are not very kind to the governor."
"you are right……"
"Jiang Qingzhi!"
Mu Chaobi's eyes turned cold. "I don't know why this person is so hostile to me. Could it be that Mu Shu, that bitch, has bewitched him?"
"No!" Zhang Qian said, "From what I've seen of Jiang Qingzhi, he is definitely not someone that can be bewitched by a woman..."
"Old Zhang, you don't understand this!" Jiang Shun said, "If you really like a woman, let alone bewitch her, you will not hesitate to kill for her.
Jiang Qingzhi is still young, full of vigor and vitality. Mu Shu, that bitch, is quite beautiful. If she is willing to bow her head...how many men can resist the temptation?"
Zhang Qian was silent. He had never been married and had no say in this matter.
"Okay." Mu Chaobi stopped the quarrel and said, "The court will be furious when they hear the news. There are all kinds of speculations, but there is no evidence at all. I dare to assert that the emperor and his ministers will not dare to send troops south, but we must prepare for a rainy day... We have to do something."
Zhang Qian said: "Governor, please order those chieftains to move."
Mu Chaobi nodded approvingly, "Let them massacre a few villages and spread the news. The Imperial Guard will naturally send a message to the capital."
Zhang Qian said with a smile: "If the court does not want to lose Yunnan and does not want the southwest to be corrupted, then it can only hold its nose and allow the governor to inherit the title."
This is exactly what happened in history. The court knew clearly that Mu Rong and Mu Gong, two successive Dukes of Qian, died in unclear circumstances, but they could do nothing about it. In the end, in order to maintain the situation in Yunnan, they could only endure the humiliation and let Mu Chaobi inherit the title.
"As for Jiang Qingzhi..." Mu Chaobi sneered, "This man is a great figure of the Mohist school and a mortal enemy of the Confucian school. Now he is busy with his own affairs, how dare he spy on the south?"
He took a deep breath and felt a bright light before his eyes. All the glory of his half life blossomed at this moment.
"Who else but me can be the Duke of Qian?"
(End of this chapter)
