My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 389 The Rebellion of the Three Tusi

Zhang Yuanbian didn't dare return to the Hanlin Academy; instead, he went directly to the Ministry of Works to observe government affairs.

There was no way around it; his reputation at the Hanlin Academy was too bad. If he went back to the Hanlin Academy now, he might get beaten up.

Although Deng Yizan lost this time, he gained a good reputation in the Hanlin Academy for submitting a petition in protest.

In addition, he liked to associate with his peers, which made him the top undergraduate scholar.

Today, as soon as he stepped into the Hanlin Academy, he was immediately surrounded by his fellow junior scholars.

"Deng Huiyuan, what about this matter of observing politics?"

The most distressed by Zhang Yuanbian's memorial were the junior scholars caught in the middle.

The position of Shujishi was equivalent to a trainee Hanlin official, and they needed to participate in the selection process after two years to remain in the Hanlin Academy.

For them, the selection examination was a life-or-death test no less important than the imperial examination.

In this memorial, Zhang Yuanbian did not force the probationary officials to observe government affairs, but instead proposed the principle of voluntariness.

However, Zhang Yuanbian proposed that practical examination content should be added to the selection examination for probationary scholars to become full-fledged scholars.

That put these junior scholars in an awkward position.

If they leave the Hanlin Academy, they will have to deal with all sorts of administrative affairs. What if they don't have time to properly prepare for the selection exam and miss it?
If one does not observe politics, the selection examination for the Imperial Academy really tests a lot of practical departments. How can these junior scholars without political experience pass the selection examination for the Imperial Academy?

This is also why Zhang Yuanbian's reputation was ruined among the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

He was the top scholar in the imperial examination and was directly appointed as a Hanlin official without having to participate in the selection process.

If you, Zhang Yuanbian, want to do practical work, you should request to be transferred out of the Hanlin Academy. Why drag everyone else down with you?

Deng Yizan, who stood up for everyone, became the leader of the new batch of imperial examination candidates.

This is also why Deng Yizan risked offending the cabinet to submit the letter.

As a newcomer to officialdom, Deng Yizan was not afraid of offending senior officials, especially those like Zhao Zhenji.

I am right here in the Hanlin Academy, how can you, Zhao Zhenji, suppress me?
It's hard to say whether Zhao Zhenji will still be in the court in three to five years.

Even if you get a little humiliated, it can become a reputation for not being afraid of power, and it will become part of your public persona in the future.

This was also Deng Yizan's plan.

When questioned by his peers, Deng Yizan immediately replied:
"Our Hanlin Academy is a place of noble character and a breeding ground for the nation's talents. Anyone who wants to do those mundane tasks can simply submit a petition!"

"Gentlemen, prepare well for the selection process. Staying in the Hanlin Academy is the best option!"

Hearing this, everyone seemed to have found a pillar of support.

Just then, a secretary from the Imperial Secretariat arrived at the Hanlin Academy. He was Xia Wei, the secretary from the Imperial Secretariat who served Zhang Juzheng.

Deng Yizan had thoroughly studied the political situation of the court, so he naturally recognized this secretary who served Zhang Juzheng.

"Xia Sheren".

"Second-place scholar, the scholar requests your presence in the cabinet."

Zhang Juzheng also held the position of Hanlin Academician, which was the head of the Hanlin Academy.

Hearing that Zhang Juzheng wanted to summon him, Deng Yizan felt even more certain that he had made the right move by opportunism!

Upon hearing that Zhang Juzheng wanted to see Deng Yizan alone, the other junior scholars all showed expressions of envy.

It is true that the Hanlin Academy is a potential source of talent for future prime ministers, because many paths to advancement can only be taken by members of the Hanlin Academy.

But who gets to leave depends on the court's appointment.

Therefore, the Grand Secretary's opinion is very important.

If Zhang Juzheng really wanted to cultivate Deng Yizan, he could have given him a job compiling books and then arranged for him to be a lecturer to the crown prince or the emperor. Deng Yizan would have risen to prominence very quickly.

This is also why the Hanlin scholars complained about Zhang Yuanbian.

Why should they suffer in the offices of the Nine Ministers when they could have simply stayed in the Hanlin Academy and waited for their opportunity?
What if getting involved in practical matters tarnishes one's career in officialdom?
The risks of being sent to an outside post are simply too great.

Deng Yizan followed Xia Wei from the Hanlin Academy to the Cabinet.

Xia Wei dislikes people like Deng Yizan.

Having worked alongside Zhang Juzheng for many years, Xia Wei had seen far too many opportunists like Deng Yizan.

Their obsequious behavior today is all because Zhang Juzheng is the second-in-command of the cabinet.

They'll turn against you even faster once they have a greater benefit to offer.

Upon arriving at the side room of the cabinet, Xia Wei gestured for them to enter before returning to his office in the Central Secretariat.

Deng Yizan met Zhang Juzheng.

Upon seeing Deng Yizan, Zhang Juzheng said:

"Rude, I remember you're from Jiangxi?"

Deng Yizan immediately replied in fluent, elegant language:

“Master, I am from Nanchang Prefecture, but I have no prior acquaintance with Elder Lei.”

Zhang Juzheng chuckled inwardly.

Lei Li was also from Nanchang Prefecture in Jiangxi Province, meaning that Deng Yizan and Lei Li were from the same prefecture.

This is actually already a very close relationship.

Before going to Huai'an, Lei Li recommended Deng Yizan to Zhang Juzheng.

However, when he simply inquired about his place of origin, Deng Yizan jumped out and distanced himself from Lei Li.

This person seems to be too ambitious.

Zhang Juzheng certainly didn't like this kind of person.

Actually, from a standpoint of opinion, he preferred Zhang Yuanbian's attitude.

The Hanlin Academy system was far too closed off.

Moreover, with the increasing specialization of the functions of various departments, Zhang Juzheng also realized that relying solely on the Four Books and Five Classics was no longer sufficient to handle government affairs.

The Ministry of Revenue began using the Longmen Accounting Method, and its accounts became increasingly specialized, requiring calculations as a basis for decision-making for various economic policies.

Many veteran officials in the Ministry of Revenue felt the pressure and began to take the initiative to study mathematics.

How will an official who came from the Hanlin Academy handle the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue in the future?

Even if you don't need to look at the books, you still need to understand economic matters, right? Otherwise, how can you make decisions?

The same was true for the Ministry of Works, and the divisions within the Ministry of Works were even more pronounced. The specialties of the construction and industrial departments were completely different. Officials in charge of construction and officials in charge of iron smelting had completely different knowledge systems. The Ministry of Works was also responsible for military production.

The Ministry of War was extremely specialized.

Of the remaining nine ministries, the Office of Transmission was responsible for the entire postal network of the Ming Dynasty, and the Court of State Ceremonies was responsible for the Ming Dynasty's foreign affairs.

These jobs are becoming increasingly specialized. If you still don't understand the practicalities like before, you'll really be misled by your subordinates.

However, this was a period of factional strife, and Zhang Juzheng was not free to do as he pleased.

He forced a smile and said:
"Rude, I wish to send you to the Ministry of War to observe the administration."

"what?"

Even Deng Yizan was stuttering.

Ministry of War, isn't this Grand Secretary Zhao's territory?
The Grand Secretary actually sent me to the Ministry of War to observe the administration!

Deng Yizan's first thought was of various conspiracies. Had Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji reached some kind of agreement, with Deng selling himself to Zhao Zhenji to vent his anger? However, Deng Yizan refrained from asking.

Seeing Deng Yizan remain silent, Zhang Juzheng continued:

"Rude has gone to the Ministry of War. He just needs to listen and observe more."

Deng Yizan agreed with Zhang Juzheng, and after Deng Yizan left, Zhang Juzheng sighed.

A few days ago, Guangxi urgently reported to the capital that three chieftains in western Guangxi were quarreling over the succession of their chieftainships.

Tusi was a position in the southwestern region.

The Ming court would grant the positions of Tusi (chieftain) to the tribal chiefs of ethnic minorities, bestow upon them Tusi seals, and allow them autonomy, thus implementing a system of indirect rule in these areas.

The Tusi's sphere of influence covered several provinces, including Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, and Sichuan.

These chieftain tribes ranged in size from hundreds of thousands to just a few hundred people, and often lived in deep mountains where Han people were unwilling to reside.

These chieftain tribes were basically autonomous, and the Ming Dynasty's tributary rule over these areas was reflected in the succession of chieftains.

According to the regulations of the Ming Dynasty, the succession of a chieftainship required the approval of the local provincial administration office, the retrieval of the original seal, and the request for the Ministry of Personnel to recast a new seal. Only then could the imperial court recognize the right of succession.

The three chieftain tribes involved in the incident were all small tribes of relatively small size. Originally, their succession issues only required the approval of the local provincial governor's office.

However, an unexpected event occurred.

In these three chieftain tribes, the leaders came forward to complain to the Guangxi Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office, saying that their new leaders were not descendants of the old chieftains at all, but rather Han Chinese who had usurped the chieftain's position.

When someone reported it, the local provincial administration could not ignore it and had to conduct an investigation.

It turned out to be really good.

The largest of these tribes, the Baima tribe, had a new chieftain named Zhao Quan, who claimed to be a descendant of Zhao Tuo, the King of Lingnan during the pre-Qin period. In reality, he was just a poor scholar from Guangxi.

Zhao Quan fled to the Baima tribe to evade taxes. Because of his eloquence and writing skills, he was appointed as an official of the Baima tribe.

Then Zhao Quan married the daughter of the former chieftain and became a powerful figure in the tribe.

After the old chieftain's death, Zhao Quan killed the old chieftain's son and declared himself the successor.

The succession rights in these chieftain tribes were quite chaotic. Most of the chieftain tribes' women also had inheritance rights, so the sons-in-law were also legally entitled to inherit.

However, this matter could not be brought to light, so the Guangxi Provincial Administration immediately dispatched people to arrest Zhao Quan.

With the chieftain of the Baima tribe acting as an inside man, the Guangxi Provincial Administration Office also thought it would be easy to capture Zhao Quan.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Quan launched his attack ahead of schedule, killing the chieftain who opposed him, opening the granary to give money and grain to the tribespeople, and killing the people sent by the provincial governor's office.

Then Zhao Quan took the opportunity to rebel.

Zhao Quan rallied two surrounding chieftain tribes into rebellion, sparking the Rebellion of the Three Chieftains.

The imperial court discussed sending Annamite troops to Yunnan to suppress the rebellion.

At this time, Zhang Juzheng went to the Ministry of Works because he naturally wanted to train this disciple.

However, Deng Yizan's attitude made Zhang Juzheng uncomfortable.

Alas, Zhang Yuanbian, the top scholar who was willing to do practical work, was poached by Su Ze.

Zhang Juzheng couldn't retaliate, so he could only sigh helplessly.

From this perspective, Deng Yizan is not a very capable person.
-
At the Duke Cheng's Mansion.

The current Duke of Cheng, Zhu Shitai, is chatting with his younger brother, Zhu Shikun.

Zhu Shitai said:
"The rebellion of the three chieftains in Guangxi has begun, and the imperial court is preparing to send the Annamite army to quell the rebellion."

Looking at his younger brother, Zhu Shitai said again:
"If you want to transfer the Annamite army now, I can still put in a good word for you. But once the official military order from the court comes down, I won't be able to help you anymore."

Zhu Shikun said:
"Thank you for your concern, brother, but I would like to go to Guangxi with the army."

Zhu Shitai also had a headache dealing with his younger brother.

The family's original intention was to send Zhu Shikun to the Military Academy to gain experience, in order to cater to the court's reform of the Military Academy, and for the Duke of Cheng's mansion, as the leader of military merit, to make a statement.

Later, the military supervisory commission became increasingly important, and Zhu Shitai saw a future in it. At this time, the nobles saw an opportunity to regain control of the military.

Therefore, Zhu Shitai wanted to put his younger brother into the Imperial Guard so that he could become a military advisor to the emperor.

However, Zhu Shikun disobeyed his wishes and insisted on going to the Annamite army.

Now there is going to be war in Guangxi, and the imperial court is going to send Annamite troops there.

The rebellion of the three chieftains is currently only a local rebellion. The reason for using the Annamite army is that the court also wants to see the quality of the new Beijing garrison.

However, when it comes to war, no one knows how it will turn out, and many major wars start from smaller conflicts.

On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. If someone is wounded or killed, it would be a loss for the Chengguo Duke's mansion, whose lineage is not particularly prosperous.

But this younger brother was stubborn and refused to listen to advice, insisting on going to the Guangxi battlefield.

Zhu Shitai had no choice but to let Zhu Shikun go his own way.

After leaving the Duke of Cheng's mansion, Zhu Shikun went to the camp of the Kelu Army. He arrived at the camp address left by Li Rusong last time and found Li Rusong.

Today was a day of rest for the military. Li Rusong was reading in his barracks when he heard the soldier's announcement and hurriedly left the barracks to meet Zhu Shikun.

Li Rusong exclaimed in surprise and delight, "Brother Zhu?!"

"Shall we find a place to sit?"

Li Rusong said:
"There's a village cook nearby, shall we go and get some food and drinks?"

The two of them came to this village kitchen together. It used to be a family home, but after they saw the military camp, they opened a village kitchen.

The new army was treated very well. On days of rest in Li Rusong's camp, the village cooks could earn some money.

The village cooks prepared dishes that went well with rice and alcohol, and with some ordinary farm wine, the two men started chatting.

Li Rusong said:
"There are rumors circulating in the camp that your Annamese army is about to be mobilized?"

Zhu Shikun nodded and said:
"My elder brother called me back today and told me this news."

Li Rusong said dejectedly:

"We planned everything, but the Annamese army made the first move! How unfair!"

Zhu Shikun knew that Li Rusong dreamed of going to the battlefield, and he comforted him, saying:

"I've heard that the Northwest is also in turmoil, and your Khrushchev army will be able to mobilize soon."

Li Rusong perked up slightly and said:
"Congratulations, Brother Zhu, you are ready to fight!"

After clinking glasses, Li Rusong said:

"I heard the Ministry of Works sent new cannons to your Annamese army?"

Zhu Shikun was surprised by Li Rusong's excellent information network. He nodded and said:
"It's a light artillery piece, a lightweight cannon that can be pulled up the mountain by mules. Our Annamese army has been training near the Taihang Mountains recently. It's a mountain cannon specifically designed for mountain warfare."

It turned out to be the case.

Li Rusong said enviously:

"The Ministry of Works actually designed artillery specifically for your Annamese army?"

Zhu Shikun said:
"This was Dean Su's design. Dean Su said that in the mountainous areas of Southwest China, special mountain guns are necessary to deal with these mountain strongholds."

Upon hearing this, Li Rusong said admiringly:
"Dean Su is truly far-sighted. He probably foresaw that there would be war in the southwest, otherwise he wouldn't have proposed to specifically establish the Annam Army."

Zhu Shikun nodded repeatedly, expressing his deep agreement.

(End of this chapter)