Let's briefly compare what they've gained in this country. And what have ordinary people gained?
Therefore, Lu Xuan's standard was this: whatever benefits you enjoy from this country, you must give back to it in return. Ordinary people pay taxes, which is already a contribution to the country. But not them. They receive too much, so much that they can never repay the country. Therefore, when the country is in danger, they must give even more. When the country perishes, they must die. Yes, they must die.
Yang Gao, of course, wouldn't think that way. After all, Ming Dynasty civil officials always adhered to a certain standard: you can only serve me, and I certainly can't be responsible for you! I can be extravagant, but you must be as incorruptible as water. Yang Gao was just one insignificant example. Later generations have even more classic cases like "itchy scalp, water too cold," which have been passed down through the ages.
Yang Gao began to have some bad thoughts. He had a guess in his mind. Could these three people be survivors from the Battle of Sarhu? Otherwise, why would they harbor such resentment towards him?
“My three brave warriors, I underestimated the enemy and fell into their trap, resulting in a crushing defeat at the front. I have failed His Majesty’s trust and the soldiers on the front lines.”
As Yang Gao spoke, tears streamed down his face. His expression was one of profound sorrow and self-reproach. Even a future Oscar-winning actor wouldn't be worthy of carrying his shoes. However, at that moment, Lu Xuan's casual remark silenced Yang Gao's sobs.
"Who told you, sir, that we lost the battle?"
"??? What? You didn't lose?" Yang Gao asked, looking up with snot and tears streaming down his face.
"Marin and Duson's forces were defeated, even completely wiped out. Liu's force is still missing. But there's still Li Rubai's force!"
Yang Gao didn't even notice. Lu Xuan addressed the four generals by their given names. Instead, he asked eagerly.
"What happened to General Li? Did he turn the tide and defeat the Jurchens?"
"Pretty much. General Li led his men straight into the heart of the Jurchen territory and laid an ambush along the way. Nurhaci led his troops back to defend, but they were ambushed by me on the way and I personally killed him."
An eerie silence fell over the prison. Yang Gao blinked, trying to process the information he had just received.
Nurhaci's death meant the battle was won, didn't it? Yang Gao's political acumen was sharp; he instantly realized Nurhaci's demise. The other beile would surely return to their base camp to vie for the Khan's throne. The siege of Liaodong should be considered lifted. This battle, naturally, should be considered a victory!
"Since you've won such a great victory, are you here to let me out?"
“That’s right, we are following General Li Rubai’s orders to release the man.”
"Then what you just did..."
"I was just joking with you, sir! I hope you won't take it to heart!" Lu Xuan said casually. Yang Gao's blood boiled at the thought. He wished he could jump out and bite Lu Xuan to death.
But circumstances dictate his actions; he's in jail, while the other three are outside. He still needs them to open the door. He'll have to bear it for now. Besides, the other side has just killed Nurhaci and will surely rise to prominence in the future. He'll let it slide for now. He'll figure out how to deal with him properly after he gets out.
"It's alright, it's alright. I'll need your help to open the cell door."
"Look, we've been so busy talking that we've forgotten the formalities. Shen Lian, Lu Wenzhao, open the door for the master and see him on his way."
Yang Gao thought to himself, "Isn't the idea of sending him on his way a bit unlucky, and it feels strange too?"
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Chapter 118 Great Victory at the Front?
Lu Xuan and his two companions walked out of the prison. However, Yang Gao was not behind them.
Lu Xuan said to everyone with a sorrowful expression.
"Lord Yang Gao felt deeply ashamed because of the heavy casualties suffered by the army. He had already hanged himself when we arrived."
Li Rubai, standing to the side, felt his eyelids twitch. These three ruthless figures were high-ranking officials of the imperial court. They were killed just like that. However, since Yang Gao's death was advantageous to him, he naturally wouldn't expose this.
Another uproar erupted around them, but this time, everyone was clearly prepared. Those present were all high-ranking officials. Yang Gao was utterly incompetent, yet he still received the lion's share of the credit; anyone would be unhappy in his position. Now that he's dead, the credit can be shared, which is perfectly reasonable. Everyone will be grateful for his contributions.
Yang Gao is dead, and Li Rubai is now the highest-ranking person present. Lu Xuan and his three companions have made the greatest contribution. Naturally, they should take the lead at the event. Yang Gao waved his hand and said, "Let's hold a victory celebration banquet tonight." Lu Xuan curled his lip. "They only killed Nurhaci; the main force of the Later Jin was actually not damaged. And these bastards are already preparing to celebrate?"
...
The Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace. Zhu Yijun stood anxiously to the left, fearing more bad news would arrive. Earlier that day, he had already received devastating news: a crushing defeat at the front, with both armies wiped out in a single day.
Zhu Yijun felt as if the sky had fallen. The fact that the Ming Dynasty had launched a military campaign against the Later Jin meant that the Ming leadership felt the Later Jin threatened the nation's destiny and had to be eliminated. In other words, losing this battle would, in a sense, mean losing the nation's fate.
Emperor Zhu Yijun naturally began to panic. However, given that news from two other sources had not yet arrived, a glimmer of hope remained in his heart. Perhaps, the other two sources had turned the tide?
Meanwhile, somewhere in the capital, a group of people powerful enough to influence the Ming Dynasty's decisions were quietly gathering. Make no doubt about it; those who truly influence the Ming Dynasty are never in the palace.
"This is an urgent report from the front. Everyone, please take a look."
One of them, while speaking, handed over a small scroll of paper. The group took turns looking at it.
"This...how is this possible? Weren't they saying the front lines had suffered a major defeat? How could they suddenly win?"
"The detailed battle report will follow, but I can tell you about it first. It is said that Li Rubai led his troops to cut off Nurhaci's retreat and directly killed the enemy chieftain. This led to a major defeat for the Later Jin, who have now retreated to Jianzhou."
"Li Rubai, does he have that kind of guts?"
"That's what the battle report says. But as far as I know, it shouldn't have been his idea. It's said to have been a platoon leader under Du Song. After Du Song's army was defeated and scattered, he came under Li Rubai's command."
This man possessed the courage of ten thousand men. He was also incredibly audacious, daring to launch a surprise attack on Nurhaci's army with only a hundred or so men. Taking them by surprise, he directly beheaded one of their men. However, Du Song had already died in battle, so he could only submit to Li Rubai's command.
"That guy got off easy. What about Yang Gao? Why haven't we heard from him?"
"Lord Yang committed suicide out of guilt before the news of the defeat at the front could even reach him."
An eerie silence fell over the room. A clear disbelief was evident on everyone's faces. They were all the same kind of people; they knew they would never commit suicide. "If I can't do it, Yang Gao shouldn't be able to either."
Therefore, how Yang Gao died is obvious. However, they are truly powerless to do anything about it. After all, they are thousands of miles away in Liaodong; how could these people of high status possibly go there to investigate the cause of someone's death? They can just let the censors say a few words.
The first person to speak, seeing that everyone was deep in thought, spoke up.
"The issue now is not about merit, but about His Majesty. In the past, we won three great campaigns. I believe that we absolutely cannot send out more good news this time."
"So what if you can't? Can you openly intercept military intelligence from the front lines? However, His Majesty's health has been declining in recent years. News of the previous defeat has already arrived, and now suddenly news of victory has come. Amidst such extreme joy and sorrow..."