nucmednet Chapter 557 Change People If They Don't Change Their Mindset
Chapter 557 Change People If They Don't Change Their Mindset
Liu Ye's heart tightened; Lin Shiyue's words made sense. The official gazette of the Ming Dynasty was not like the telegram of today; it was subject to delays. By the time he received news that the Tartars had entered Qingzhou, Abatai's army would probably have already reached Dengzhou.
According to the official gazette, even if Ajige and Abatai split their forces, the troops, mainly composed of the Plain Blue Banner, would still number in the tens of thousands. He didn't know that with the reconnaissance methods of this era and the corruption and incompetence of the Ming court, the assessment of the enemy's numbers was merely a guess and would likely be exaggerated. Liang Xiaoming only had an independent regiment under construction, which was not even equipped with heavy weapons such as field artillery. If he encountered so many Tartars, he would probably be in grave danger.
He shook his head, trying to shake off these ominous speculations, and gritted his teeth, saying, "No matter what, I can't let anything happen to him. It's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost. Whether going to Shandong now is a waste of effort or not, it's better than doing nothing and watching him fall into danger."
Lin Shiyue said softly, "My husband and Master Liang are truly brothers, even blood brothers couldn't be more affectionate, right?"
More than that, even blood brothers might not have such a bond, Liu Ye thought. They were complete strangers who, by chance, traveled to this time and space. Hand in hand, they shared joys and sorrows, each contributing their strengths—one focusing on technology, the other on management—and after five years of hard work, they had built their current business. They had long since become inseparable best friends. After traveling through time, all ties with his family from his previous life were severed. If there was anyone in Liu Ye's heart in this time and space, it would undoubtedly be Liang Xiaoming.
Liu Ye acted swiftly and decisively, immediately convening an emergency mobilization meeting and announcing that he would lead his troops to Shandong to fight against the Tartars.
Sun Yuanhua asked in surprise, "General, you have only recently returned from Nanjing and are newly married. Why are you going to Shandong again? Besides, I have read the official gazette. The Tartars are powerful. Even the detachment that has entered Shandong has tens of thousands of troops. The Tartars are said to be invincible with ten thousand men. They are not comparable to rebels or bandits. General, you are rushing to lead your troops there now. Firstly, you have no orders from the Ministry of War, and secondly, the enemy situation is unclear. It is too dangerous to go there rashly. I think you should think twice before you act."
“General Liang is very likely to have encountered the Tartar army outside Dengzhou City, and his fate is unknown. I don’t care about the Ministry of War’s orders.” Liu Ye replied firmly, “The Tartars are powerful, but my Qionghai Army is not to be trifled with either. If we want to compete for the Central Plains, we will eventually have a battle. It’s better to fight sooner rather than later. I also want to test their strength myself.”
Yan Guang also advised, "General, you are of noble birth. 'A son of a thousand pieces of gold should not sit under a dangerous roof.' The safety of the entire army rests on your shoulders. Even if General Liang is in danger, you must not lose your composure for personal reasons. The overall situation must be the priority. If you are really worried, send a general with troops to Shandong and act accordingly."
Liu Ye was worried about Liang Xiaoming's safety. Hearing this explanation, he was furious. He grabbed a teacup and threw it. It just missed Sima De's ear and fell to the ground with a "bang" and shattered.
"One of you says to think twice before acting, and the other says to prioritize the overall situation. Are you trying to tie my hands and teach me how to do things? I am the commander of the Qionghai Navy, and the Qionghai Navy can only have one leader!"
Yan Guang and Sun Yuanhua immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness, saying, "Your subordinates dare not."
Seeing Liu Ye's anger, everyone became uneasy and knelt down. The Qionghai Navy had never practiced kneeling, so this was the first time such a thing had happened.
Liu Ye was furious, pacing back and forth. "What do you mean by 'a body of immense value' or 'not sitting under a dangerous roof'? General Liang and I have weathered storms together, fighting side by side to build this empire. I'm not that delicate. Besides, I'm not the emperor yet, and you're already trying to use the same tactics scholars use against emperors on me—even if I become emperor in the future, I won't be a puppet in the Forbidden City, manipulated by court officials. I'll build this empire myself, and I'll make my own decisions! You assist me, civil officials do their jobs, military generals do their jobs, each fulfilling your duties. You'll receive your due riches and honors, and you shouldn't utter a single word that's not your business! Do you understand?"
Everyone answered in unison, "Understood."
Liu Ye pointed at Yan Guang and Sun Yuanhua and said, "The Military Affairs Staff Office has worked through the night to come up with the battle plan, and the Logistics Bureau has arranged the necessary supplies. I want to see the army set off on time tomorrow at noon. Do what you can do, and tell me as soon as you can't. If you don't change your mindset, we'll replace you; if you don't change your thinking, we'll replace you in your position."
Yan Guang and Sun Yuanhua, their foreheads dripping with sweat, quickly replied, "Your subordinates understand, we will certainly not delay the army's departure."
Liu Ye raised his head and looked at the others: "This time, the First and Second Regiments will all be going on the expedition, and everyone from the Military Staff Office will accompany them; the garrison soldiers who have already been trained but have not yet been incorporated into the army will be responsible for the defense of Lingao, and will be issued spears and swords, under the command of Sun Yuanhua. Anyone who delays tomorrow's departure time will be punished according to military law!"
No one dared to object, and they all replied in unison, "Yes, sir!"
That night, Liu Ye locked himself in his study, scrutinizing whether there were any oversights in the arrangements for this operation. The candlelight in the room burned brightly until late into the night.
Tang Yu was usually in charge of Liu Ye's daily life. Seeing that the old man was still up so late, she felt sorry for him. She took a bowl of stewed black chicken soup from the kitchen, intending to bring it in to nourish him and also to persuade him to rest early. When she reached the door of the study, she saw Lin Shiyue walking towards her and blocking her way.
Lin Shiyue asked calmly, "Tang Yu, what are you doing?"
Ever since this well-bred young lady entered the Liu family, Tang Yu willingly relinquished her temporary role as the mistress of the house. In her view, compared to Su Wen and Dong Xiaowan, who were known for their beauty, the generous, dignified, and well-educated Lin Shiyue was more deserving of the position of the master's principal wife. Tang Yu was truly convinced of the value of this first-rank noblewoman.
She replied respectfully, "Madam, I saw that Master hadn't slept late at night, so I wanted to give him some nourishment and also persuade him to get some rest."
Just as Lin Shiyue was about to speak, she saw a slender woman holding a pipa hesitating at the corner of the corridor, so she called out, "Are you Miss Dong? What's the matter? Come forward and talk to me."
Dong Xiaowan stepped forward timidly and gave a curtsy: "Madam, my husband is pondering important military matters and it's getting on his mind. I'd like to play a light and elegant piece for him to cheer him up..."
Lin Shiyue said seriously, "Master is going to war tomorrow, traveling thousands of miles to fight the Tartars. The dangers involved are beyond your comprehension. He probably has no mind to listen to music and drink soup right now. Women may not understand men's affairs, nor do they need to. Just remember that Master is a man who does great things. As his women, you must be sensible, know when to be attentive, and know when not to bother him."
Tang Yu and Dong Xiaowan quickly replied, "Understood, Madam."