This place lay two or three li from the Capital City.
When Yang Qing's carriage stopped, those who had been waiting nearby all stepped forward, stood before it, and called out in unison, "We bid you farewell, Lord Yang!"
Yang Qing slowly stepped down from the carriage and returned their salutes. "I am but a humble scholar. I am deeply grateful that you have all taken the trouble to come and see me off!"
"We greatly admire your integrity, Lord Yang. Please take good care of yourself! When you return in triumph, we shall certainly come and drink with you until we are all drunk!"
Their words made Yang Qing turn back again and again. "Thank you. I shall do everything in my power to defend our rivers and mountains! The cold wind has risen. Please return, everyone, and take care!"
"Safe travels, Lord Yang!"
Only after Yang Qing's carriage had receded into the distance did these officials serving in the capital gradually disperse.
Meanwhile, in the Imperial City, at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Chu Jinghui stood before the hall, his gaze resting on a line of birds flying in formation across the sky.
After a long while, he finally spoke. "I hear quite a few court officials went outside the northern city gate?"
Eunuch Zhang stepped forward with his head bowed and eyes lowered. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Chu Jinghui continued, "I had not noticed. Yang Chengming has only been in the capital for a few months, yet he has already won himself quite a few friends..."
Eunuch Zhang said, "How could anyone Your Majesty places such trust in be a man of poor character?"
"In this old servant's view, those officials went to see Lord Yang off out of respect for his journey to resolve the crisis at