Chapter 54: Burning Bridges and Pulling Up the Ladder

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Qi Jiguang arrived in the capital to receive the title of Marquis of Qian'an. He promised in the palace that he would no longer serve under the Quan Chu Guild. At the invitation of Zhang Juzheng, Qi Jiguang had no choice but to remove the badge of the Quan Chu Guild and hand it over to You Qi.

A friendship of over twenty years, a companionship of comrades walking the same path for more than two decades, came to an end here.

When Qi Jiguang handed over the badge, there was no hesitation, no difficulty; he never regretted his decisions.

“Commander Qi, isn’t this a bit unfair? Now that you have a noble title, do you no longer value our humble Quan Chu Guild?” You Qi took the badge, looked at Qi Jiguang’s name inscribed on it, and felt a painful knot in his heart. His face darkened, and his words grew sharp and bitter.

Just moments ago, outside Beitu City, You Qi had helped Qi Jiguang teach a reckless scoundrel a lesson. Mr. Zhang of the Quan Chu Guild had just had a fierce argument with Yang Bo in the Fengtian Hall over Qi Jiguang’s title. Zhang Juzheng had done everything possible to protect Qi Jiguang’s interests, yet Qi Jiguang immediately returned the badge.

Qi Jiguang straightened up with firm conviction and said, “I have a clear conscience. The chief minister and the border general have a close private friendship, frequent dealings that could be exploited. In the treacherous court, I am neither suitable nor able to continue serving under the chief minister’s patronage. I believe the chief minister will understand this.”

You Qi put away the badge with a sneer and said, “Such close private friendship! Such understanding from the chief minister!”

“In the thirty-second year of the Jiajing reign, when you were eager to pacify the Japanese pirates but had neither qualifications nor achievements, whose recommendation got you appointed as Acting Deputy Commander overseeing the three camps and twenty-five garrisons in Dengzhou, Wendeng, and Jimo?”

“The chief minister’s.” Qi Jiguang said helplessly. This was a genuine favor; at that time, Qi Jiguang was only a hereditary thousand-household officer in the southern army. Without Zhang Juzheng’s support, managing twenty-five garrisons and recruiting three thousand Zhejiang soldiers would have been unimaginable.

Qi Jiguang owed his rise step by step to Zhang Juzheng.

“In the thirty-fourth year of Jiajing, when you were transferred to the Zhejiang Military Commission as deputy general, who recommended you?”

“The chief minister.”

“In the thirty-sixth year of Jiajing, during the prolonged battle of Cengang, who strongly defended you in court, giving you the chance to redeem yourself by conquering Cengang? Who also defended you against accusations of colluding with the pirates by the censor Luo Jiabin?”

“The chief minister.”

“In the forty-first year of Jiajing, during the pacification of the pirates in Fujian, you landed at Dongying’ao and launched a swift attack. When the court criticized your unauthorized deployment, who quelled the dissent?”

“The chief minister.”

“In the first year of Longqing, when the court debated whether the southern troops should march north and had to choose between Yu Dayou and you, who guaranteed your command over the three frontier garrisons?”

“The chief minister.”

“In the second year of Longqing, when you clashed with Governor Guo Hu of Jizhou, who overruled the opposition, reassigned Guo Hu, and replaced the governor with Liang Menglong so that you could act freely?”

“The chief minister.”

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You Qi finally ceased his questioning, looked at Qi Jiguang with a cold sneer, and said, “Commander Qi, remember this well. I’m just a servant and won’t say more. I can only wish you a smooth and rapid rise!”

“Farewell.” Qi Jiguang said with a hint of melancholy. “No seeing off.”

Burning bridges after crossing the river, pulling up the ladder after climbing to the roof.

Qi Jiguang’s behavior was indeed unfair, lacking in personal virtue. Had it not been for Zhang Juzheng’s insistence, he could not even have entered Beitu City. Now that he had received his noble title, he immediately changed his demeanor, even returning the badge.

This was ingratitude.

But what could Qi Jiguang do?

Ultimately, Qi Jiguang shook his head and headed toward Desheng Gate. Their quarrel left everyone dumbfounded. The news that the chief minister of the Ming court and the fierce border general had fallen out spread through the city like wildfire.

At the same time, inside the Quan Chu Guild, Zhang Juzheng hummed a tune, feeling exceptionally relaxed. In his left hand, he held a water jug; in his right, a pair of scissors, trimming the branches of sweet potato sprouts. He was planting sweet potatoes and potatoes—only two plants in total, one sweet potato, one potato.

You Qi hurried back to the Quan Chu Guild and went to the Wenchang Pavilion but could not find the chief minister. After inquiring with the attendants, he learned Zhang Juzheng was transplanting seedlings at the Nine-Bend Bridge.

You Qi arrived at the century-old hackberry tree at the head of the bridge and saw Zhang Juzheng squatting on the ground, inserting the trimmed branches into the soil.

“Chief minister,” You Qi wanted to report Qi Jiguang’s return of the badge, but Zhang Juzheng waved him off, signaling not to disturb his work. After planting all the cuttings, he clapped his hands and said, “Full of vitality, full of vitality indeed!”

“These sweet potato sprouts are truly fascinating. Just four nodes, the right soil temperature, and roots begin to form in three days—just like our people of the Ming dynasty, able to thrive with just a bit of earth, full of life.”

Four-node cuttings planted, roots in three days; once rooted, the seedlings could survive without much care. These potatoes and sweet potatoes could truly be cultivated and produced in abundance. The revival of the Ming would no longer be a mere dream.

Zhang Juzheng knew little about farming but cared deeply about the young emperor’s Baoqi Palace, hoping no mishaps would occur.

If no one sabotaged it, it would basically succeed.

“Commander Qi has returned the badge of the Quan Chu Guild.” You Qi handed the badge to Zhang Juzheng with a grave expression.

Zhang Juzheng took the badge, looked at Qi Jiguang’s name for a long time, then smiled with relief and carefully put it away. “Noted.”

“Noted?” You Qi was puzzled, staring in astonishment. He could not understand why the chief minister was so calm. Given Zhang Juzheng’s usual temperament, Qi Jiguang’s ingratitude should have prompted immediate retaliation.

But judging by Zhang Juzheng’s demeanor, it seemed the matter was just… let go?

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“Or what else? Just let it go?” Zhang Juzheng shrugged, half raising his hands, and looked at You Qi. “Do you expect me to hunt him down? You Qi, your master is a civil official, a scholar who has never fought a battle in his life. You overestimate me, Zhang. Even if I pursued him, I couldn’t defeat Commander Qi!”

“Even with you, and all the people of the Quan Chu Guild attacking together, it wouldn’t be enough for a few rounds against him.”

“Tell me, how many in this world can fight Commander Qi?”

“Let it go. What else can be done? What you say is nonsensical.”

You Qi was baffled by Zhang Juzheng’s words. Of course, he was not suggesting they hunt down Qi Jiguang. If the fierce general really turned ruthless, who in the world could stand against him?

But as chief minister, there were many ways to deal with people — why resort to fighting? Whose words were truly nonsensical?

Zhang Juzheng glanced again at the seedlings and smiled at You Qi’s puzzled look. “Don’t understand?”

You Qi said firmly, “I don’t understand.”

“Do you know how Hu Weiyong died?” Zhang Juzheng stood on the white marble Nine-Bend Bridge, watching the shimmering lake surface. His relaxed expression faded as he began to recount history.

You Qi thought for a moment, then bowed his head. “The Great Emperor Taizu ordered his execution.”

“What was Hu Weiyong’s position when he died?” Zhang Juzheng asked.

Though not well-read, You Qi knew a bit about this and answered, “Prime Minister.”

“And what is my position?” Zhang Juzheng took a handful of fish food from a nearby maid and scattered it on the lake. The koi immediately stirred, vying for the food, the sunlight sparkling on the water scattering the evening glow.

You Qi began to understand a little and replied, “Chief Minister.”

“Do you fully understand now?” Zhang Juzheng asked.

You Qi considered carefully. “Not completely.”

“Then let me explain clearly,” Zhang Juzheng said, realizing his trusted aide did not fully grasp the matter. He intended to clarify exactly why Hu Weiyong had been executed.