Chapter Forty-One: Soldiers Riot Over Pay

Upon hearing this, Chen Xinjia smiled slightly and said, “We have no say over the silver in the Ministry of Revenue, but I can make decisions in the Imperial Stable. With one hundred thousand taels in hand, you can start making arrangements. Shaoyu has worked diligently for many years as the Registrar in the Bureau of Personnel; I am well aware of his efforts.”

The last words from Chen Xinjia were almost a veiled hint, and Ma Shaoyu became instantly excited. Wasn’t this a subtle reminder that his position was due for promotion?

Naturally, paired with the previous events, Ma Shaoyu understood that this was an incentive for him to resolve the matter of experience!

“I shall act at once, going straight to the Right Sentry of the Five Armies Camp to calm the soldiers and select the most capable among them!” Ma Shaoyu declared, his voice ringing like iron, resolute and powerful.

At the Imperial Academy, in the Hall of Rites.

Zhu Cilang gazed southward, as if he could see through the layers of courtyards to the scene across East Straight Gate Street in the Faithful Alley.

Just now, the shrill cries from Faithful Alley had been clamorous for a moment, but quickly vanished without a trace, as if nothing had ever happened, like an illusion.

Zhu Cilang knew well this was no illusion; it was a major move prepared by his adversary, a blow momentarily stalled by his sleight of hand, now followed by a swift and deadly attack. It was the darkest hour before dawn.

“Zhang Zhen! Listen to my instructions—three tasks!” Zhu Cilang called out sharply.

The burly Zhang Zhen strode over swiftly, standing at attention: “Master, your orders!”

“First, go carefully to the Martial Virtue Guard Camp in Faithful Alley opposite us, and investigate what has happened.”

“Second, warn everyone at home, secure the gates and walls, and enforce strict vigilance.”

“Third, prepare a sharp sword for me!”

As Zhu Cilang finished, Zhang Zhen’s expression changed. He loudly acknowledged the order and rushed off.

Nearby, Xie Yi listened as Zhu Cilang issued his orders one by one, marveling at his quick response. Yet a sense of confusion lingered in his heart.

Suddenly, as Xie Yi turned to leave, Zhu Cilang straightened his back and spoke in a clear voice, “Brother Xie. Whether righteousness prevails, whether virtue endures, depends on what we do today. Today, I earnestly ask you to lend me your strength, help unravel the accounts of the Capital Garrison, and obtain evidence of the corrupt officials’ crimes!”

“Riches and honor, rank and position—such promises are empty and lack sincerity. I, Qin Xia, can only swear by my ancestors: in the most perilous moment, I will go first. In the hardest, most baffling part, I will go first. And tomorrow, when merit is recorded, I will be listed last.” Zhu Cilang spoke with emotion, locking his gaze on Xie Yi.

Zhu Cilang’s words stirred Xie Yi, whose heart had long been restless. Suddenly, Xie Yi burst out laughing, his voice bold and generous: “Qin Xia, you show me no disdain despite my humble origins; how could I be stone-hearted? With such sincerity, count me in! Let us see if this bright sky still shines true!”

With that, Zhu Cilang and Xie Yi rushed together into the Hall of Rites, joining the ranks working to decipher the accounts.

With Zhu Cilang, whose understanding of the records was deepest, and Xie Yi, whose knowledge of the Ministry of Revenue’s corruption was unparalleled, the progress of the auditing team noticeably accelerated for all involved.

Meanwhile, outside...

The signal fires had begun to burn.

The smoke rose from the Martial Virtue Guard Camp in Faithful Alley.

The first to notice was none other than Zhang Zhen, who had been sent to investigate. Although Zhang Zhen appeared burly and rough, he was accustomed to the ways of the marketplace, shrewd beneath the surface, and did not recklessly approach. Instead, he found a small food stall, ordered a bowl of coarse noodles, and began to eat.

It was fortunate that Zhang Zhen was both bold and careful, avoiding premature exposure.

Indeed, soon he saw several soldiers with sallow faces and gaunt figures, scanning their surroundings with wary eyes, escorting a civil official into the camp.

At that moment, squads of soldiers hurried into the barracks.

In the end, a man with a weathered face and a commanding presence paused at the gate, watching until no more ragged soldiers in scarlet uniforms entered. Only then did he speak in low tones to the officer guarding the entrance.

Zhang Zhen, standing at a distance, could not hear clearly. But a passing glance revealed something peculiar about one of the men beside the weathered soldier.

Before Zhang Zhen could look closely, a sudden bang sounded.

The gates of the Martial Virtue Guard Camp slammed shut. In the darkness, it seemed that when they next opened, they would reveal a gaping maw of blood.

Even the old man selling noodles nearby was puzzled. “When did the men from the Right Sentry become so well-behaved? They all paid for their food and obediently entered the camp.”

Zhang Zhen’s expression darkened as he tossed a piece of broken silver to the old woman clearing the tables. “Old sir, madam, do the Martial Virtue Guard soldiers always pay for their meals?”

“Normally, no. They usually barter, and if they have nothing to trade, they use knives. Hey, only recently has the world improved a bit. They say someone wealthy came out of the camp.” The old man laughed, pocketing the silver, then hurriedly said, “Sir, you’ve overpaid. Old woman, bring out a string of coins quickly.”

Zhang Zhen waved his hand. “No matter. You’d best pack up and hurry home, bolt your doors.”

With that, Zhang Zhen strode to the street, untied his horse, and galloped south toward the Nanshun Alley.

Sure enough, not long after, thick black smoke rose from Faithful Alley, shooting toward the heavens. The whole alley erupted in shouts and turmoil.

At the Ministry of War—

Bang...

“What? Ma Shaoyu is trapped in the Martial Virtue Guard Camp?”

As the Ministry’s clerks, accompanied by an old soldier, nervously recounted the events at the Five Armies Camp Right Sentry in Faithful Alley, Chen Xinjia’s mind exploded with dread, a fear beyond description welling up inside him.

“Sir... it was Qiao San’er who gave the order, closed the gates, and imprisoned the officers. And it happened just as Lord Ma from the Ministry came to inspect, so... so... they locked him up, demanding that all arrears in the Capital Garrison’s rations be paid in full before anyone is released. Otherwise... otherwise...”

“Now the Martial Virtue Guard Camp is thick with smoke, visible throughout the capital.”

“I hear the Five Armies Camp at Anding Gate and Desheng Gate—on the left and right flanks—are suffering as well... ready to mutiny over unpaid rations...”

...

Almost as if cursed, one soldier after another, escaping under the lead of Ministry officials, arrived at Chen Xinjia’s office.

Chen Xinjia’s hands trembled as he sprang to his feet and rushed out. “To horse, to the Marquis of Xiangcheng’s residence!”

In the Great Shiyong Alley in the Western City, the Marquis Li Guozhen listened as his servants brought report after report, his brow furrowing ever deeper until his face twisted into a bitter gourd. “How did things fall into chaos so suddenly...”

“It’s utter chaos...”

“Where has Li Qibo from the Five Armies Camp Left Flank gone? And Zhang Shuchi from the Right Flank?”

“Is the Divine Pivot Camp still intact? What of the Divine Machine Camp? Where is Marquis Xue Lian, commander of the Divine Machine Camp?”

...