Chapter Four

Seeing Lin Feng act so mysteriously, the four ministers could not help but exchange glances, bewildered by what their lord intended today.

“All of you here are my right-hand men,” Lin Feng finally spoke, smiling at their puzzled faces. “I have kept you behind today because there is a matter that requires our discretion. It’s not a great affair, but it must be handled in secret to prevent any leaks!”

His words seemed somewhat illogical, prompting Li Guangdi to ask, “May I ask, my lord, what matter calls for such... caution?”

Lin Feng did not answer directly, instead skillfully shifting the topic. “Gentlemen, I have been pondering a question. Last autumn, the Manchu army in Manchuria could not have numbered more than ten thousand at best, with only three thousand cavalry under General Sabsu of Heilongjiang worth mentioning. Yet in less than a year, they have swelled so rapidly. What do you suppose is the cause?”

The four looked at one another, none understanding Lin Feng’s intent. Zhou Peigong rose, surprise on his face. “Why does my lord say this? Manchuria is the homeland of the Aisin Gioro clan, and has been cultivated for years. Their power is deep-rooted, so it is only natural for them to recover swiftly!”

“Ah, that makes sense,” Lin Feng replied. “But why is the Aisin Gioro family so deeply entrenched there?”

“Well…” Zhou Peigong hesitated. The question was complex, touching on many aspects, and not easily answered in a few words. Yet he doubted Lin Feng was truly ignorant of the facts—there was clearly some deeper meaning behind this abrupt change of topic.

“Ahem… Jin Qing, suppose you wished to ruin a man’s reputation—where would you begin?”

“I… beg my lord’s guidance!” Li Guangdi was still utterly at a loss.

Lin Feng chuckled. “To be honest, there are many ways, but by our Chinese traditions, the most effective route is always through matters of love and scandal between men and women!”

The four ministers stared at one another in stunned silence.

“Oh, Jin Qing, you are so stiff! I never said there must really be such an affair—I am only speculating, am I not?”

The four ministers were nearly driven mad. Was their lord truly keeping them back just to discuss such trifles?

“Very well, let me give you an example—a demonstration, if you will.” Lin Feng cleared his throat. “In fact, it is nothing much. A young woman widowed early, finding comfort with another man—is that not quite normal? But let us look at it another way. Suppose this Lady Dayu was not originally a princess of the Khorchin, but instead a courtesan on the steppe, who, thanks to her exceptional charms, won the favor of a Mongol prince…”

“My lord, she was only eleven or twelve when she married Hong Taiji, was she not?”

“No interruptions! As I said, this is pure speculation—do you not know what ‘speculation’ means? Let me continue. After marrying Hong Taiji, she bewitches him, wearing him out night after night, until his health is utterly drained. In desperation, he resorts to tonics you all know are dangerous. In the end, Hong Taiji falls ill from these, and one day, suddenly dies—of course, this is an embarrassing story, so to save face, it is proclaimed to the world that this robust man simply died ‘of no known cause’!”

At these words, the four ministers swallowed hard, their throats tightening.

“We will obey your command, my lord,” Wang Shirong bowed deeply. “But… if such tales were to spread within our Han territories, I fear it would be difficult to keep secret, and might not even gain much circulation.”

“Oh, Ji Yun, you are such a clever man—how can you be so obtuse now?” Lin Feng patiently explained. “Does it really matter who spreads these rumors? Even if the world knows the Han army is behind them, what of it? So long as we do not foolishly proclaim it ourselves, I guarantee no one will dare come forward to accuse us!” Seeing Wang Shirong was still doubtful, Lin Feng laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “Let me teach you another trick. Once the rumors spread, our local offices can post notices forbidding the circulation of such ‘obscene tales’. That way, on the surface at least, we wash our hands of the affair.”

Chen Menglei stared in disbelief. “But if we threaten punishment for discussing the matter, won’t the effect be greatly diminished?”

“Oh, Zezhen, you are too rigid! I only said we should post notices forbidding discussion—did I say anything about actually arresting or punishing anyone? The sages instruct us that our Han government must never criminalize speech. That is a point of principle to which we must hold.”

At last, Chen Menglei realized what kind of person he was dealing with. He gazed at Lin Feng, speechless, his mouth opening and closing in mute astonishment.

Wang Shirong, however, applauded. “This is an excellent plan! All men are curious by nature. The more something is forbidden, the more people wish to do it. Thus, the rumor will only spread faster!”

“Quite right, Ji Yun. This matter is no small thing. If these stories are trumpeted across the land, the remaining vestiges of the false Qing’s reputation will be utterly destroyed. Officials everywhere will be ashamed to serve them, and commoners and the Green Standard Army will scorn to lay down their lives. The provincial governors and inspectors who still fly the Qing banner will finally have an excuse to reject the court’s legitimacy and openly declare their independence…” Lin Feng’s smile grew cold. “If so, the predicament of being beset on all sides dissolves without a fight, does it not?”

Li Guangdi suddenly understood, exclaiming, “Indeed! The empire is fractured, and the provincial lords, in name vassals, are in reality autonomous, each eager for independence. Their loyalty to the old regime is not their wish, but merely necessity!”

“That is why we must give them an excuse. If I am not mistaken, once this plan succeeds, the false Qing will be seen as having ‘lost virtue’. According to this logic, when we killed the Tartar emperor, would it not be called ‘Heaven’s punishment’?” Lin Feng shrugged with a roguish smile, spreading his hands. “Base or noble, cunning or honorable, it is all just an excuse in the end—don’t you agree?”