Chapter Twenty-Nine: Great Schemes, Little Resolve

The reason Bai Yu emphasized the "one-year" timeframe was that, according to historical records, Lu Bing had less than a year left to live. If the situation remained unchanged and they couldn't take down the Yan Faction within a year, what use would Lu Bing be?

After the initial shock, Lu Bing's curiosity was piqued. "What methods do you have that give you the confidence to say you can defeat the Yan Faction within a year?"

Bai Yu answered with absolute certainty, "I have several strategies that can be implemented simultaneously. First, if the Imperial Court reforms the salt industry, they will inevitably use members of the Yan Faction! And given their character, they will surely engage in rampant corruption. The Commander simply needs to find an opportunity to report that the silver embezzled by the Yan Faction exceeds the amount delivered to the Inner Treasury; that will certainly incite the Emperor's displeasure."

There was no need to ask where this tactic came from; it was learned from a certain grand historical drama and pilfered by AI.

Lu Bing replied realistically, "The Yan Faction will certainly engage in corruption, but it won't necessarily exceed the amount sent to the Inner Treasury. They aren't fools."

Bai Yu said viciously, "Who cares how much they embezzle? As long as the Commander exaggerates the report! In any case, once the silver is in their hands, who can distinguish whether it came from this year's salt trade or elsewhere? No matter what figure the Commander reports, the Yan Faction will be unable to prove their innocence! It is enough to sow suspicion in the Emperor's mind!"

Fine. Lu Bing had to admit that this strategy had some feasibility, though the final outcome was hard to predict.

Bai Yu continued with a second idea: "After ousting the Minister of Works from the Yan Faction, we must exhaust every effort and spare no cost to complete the Three Great Halls within this year. This will create a stark contrast with the Yan Faction's Minister of Works. A few well-placed slanders will then be enough to provoke the Emperor's dissatisfaction with them. After all, the Three Great Halls represent the Emperor's face; he cannot possibly be indifferent. If we can make the Emperor harbor a grudge against the Yan Faction, we have succeeded."

Lu Bing frowned and commented, "Trying to complete the Three Great Halls within the year is truly difficult; it is nearly impossible."

Bai Yu really wanted to retort, "If you don't even have this much resolve and daring, then what are you even fighting the Yan Faction for?" But considering the Commander’s foul mood, he swallowed his words.

Bai Yu then proposed several other ideas to deal with the Yan Faction, and Lu Bing provided calm critiques for each. He was just too calm—so calm that he lacked any sense of urgency.

Bai Yu urged him with great spirit, "We've said so much, let's start the fight!"

Lu Bing replied, "Everything you've said revolves around weakening the Yan Faction's image in the Emperor's eyes. But merely weakening them is not enough to cause a qualitative change. We must wait for a point—a turning point that can trigger a fundamental shift. That turning point has not yet arrived. If we strike now, we will only waste resources without achieving the ideal effect. Therefore, we must wait patiently."

This was exactly what Xu Jie had said, and Lu Bing, finding it very reasonable, repeated it to Bai Yu.

Bai Yu’s previous proposals were both a presentation of strategy and a test of Lu Bing. Now the results were in: the subject, Lu, could be described as "full of schemes but lacking the resolve to act; a man who values his own safety too much to achieve great things." Always waiting for a turning point—did he not understand that quantitative changes lead to qualitative ones? If one does not exercise subjective initiative, can a turning point just be waited for? If not for his own repeated strikes against two ministers, there wouldn't even be an opportunity to fight.

Bai Yu lost interest in further philosophical discussion. Once the filter of history and status was stripped away, the so-called strongest Commander of the Jinyiwei of the Great Ming was nothing more than this. To use the parlance of pulp novels, his master did not seem particularly brilliant.

Lu Bing finally realized the conversation had wandered too far. He had intended to reprimand Bai Yu, but now he lacked the energy to do so. He had no stamina for further squabbling, so he cut to the point: "To quell the instability in the court, you should transfer to the Xian Gate."

The Xian Gate was one of the gates of the Imperial City. Inside lay the West Garden, and outside lay the bustling streets. Originally, the Xian Gate was neither a palace gate nor the main gate of the Imperial City, so its importance was quite ordinary. However, ever since the Jiajing Emperor began his secluded cultivation in the West Garden, the Xian Gate, as the only major public entrance, had seen its importance increase a thousandfold, and its security forces were greatly strengthened.

The Jinyiwei had set up several shifts at the Xian Gate to maintain full control over the area. The reason it had more manpower than the Meridian Gate—the secondary political center—was that the streets outside were bustling and complex. Insiders knew that, like the Meridian Gate, any Jinyiwei officer stationed at the Xian Gate required Lu Bing’s personal approval.

Upon hearing he was being transferred to the Xian Gate, Bai Yu felt neither happy nor disappointed. Having tested Lu Bing’s character, he was prepared for this.

Lu Bing, still slightly uneasy, pressed, "This is only to let you avoid the spotlight for a while. Do you harbor any resentment?"

Bai Yu answered without hesitation, "Of course not!"

He had exhausted himself playing politics for nothing; from the perspective of personal gain, it was all wasted effort. He remained penniless, and he even had to sign an IOU to get someone to look after his father. Was this any way for a qualified Jinyiwei officer to live? The Meridian Gate was good for stirring up trouble, but there was no profit in it—a fatal flaw.

The Xian Gate was different. The streets outside were among the most prosperous in the Western City, perfect for escaping poverty. He didn't know if others could come to terms with it, but Bai Yu certainly could. He had already begun to contemplate how to make his fortune quickly. The prospect of bullying the markets and dominating the streets didn't seem so bad. After all, he had truly had enough of this destitute life! Since his transmigration, he hadn't even eaten a piece of tofu!

"Are you truly without resentment?" Lu Bing asked again, still unconvinced.

Bai Yu helplessly reaffirmed his stance, "There is truly no dissatisfaction. I am more than happy to serve at the Xian Gate!"

Since his master’s brilliance was limited and he couldn't be assisted, it was only understandable to consider his own interests, right?

Lu Bing encouraged him, "Work hard. Once you are familiar with the situation, I will promote you to a Junior Banner Officer."

He then called in Centurion Qian and ordered, "You are also transferring to the Xian Gate. If everything is peaceful for half a year, I will promote you to Deputy Chiliarch."

Centurion Qian was confused. What was the standard for "peaceful"? If things were always peaceful, what would they, the Jinyiwei officers, be needed for?

Lu Bing pointed at Bai Yu and introduced him: "He is also transferring to the Xian Gate. Continue to let him serve in your squad. As the squad leader, take good care of him."

Centurion Qian suddenly realized: "peaceful" meant keeping an eye on Officer Bai so he wouldn't cause any more trouble. Was he to be transformed from an active officer into a babysitter for a newcomer?