Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 33 Son Suppresses Father's Pampering: A Substitution of the Beams and Pillars
The rise of fierce generals in Liaodong during the late Ming Dynasty as they carved out their own territories can be considered the greatest tragedy of the Ming Dynasty.

This tragedy was not solely caused by these fierce generals from Liaodong.

The Ming Dynasty also bears a great deal of responsibility.

The soldiers in Liaodong were forced into this situation.

There was no way around it; corrupt officials ran rampant in the imperial court. Not only were military merit rewards embezzled, but even provisions and salaries were being skimmed off at every level.

Wei Zhongxian went even further, not only refusing to award any military merit for the victories at Ningyuan and Ningjin, but also directly cutting off the rations and pay of the soldiers in Liaodong for more than a year.

How could the soldiers in Liaodong survive under such circumstances?
They could only follow those generals and try to find ways to get money and food to support themselves and their families.

The fierce generals of Liaodong were their bread and butter, so naturally they listened to them.

So, where did the fierce general of Liaodong get the money and food to support so many soldiers and their families?

According to unofficial historical accounts, they were capable of anything.

For example, going to the Mongol tribes to plunder was, to put it bluntly, robbing them of cattle, sheep, horses, tents, furs, and even women—they would take anything.

This has actually been going on since the Wanli era. The reason why Yang Hao had such a good relationship with the Li brothers was that when he was the governor of Liaodong and even the governor-general, he not only turned a blind eye to the Li brothers' unauthorized military expeditions to plunder Mongol tribes, but also occasionally went with them to plunder!
Historical records show that in the spring of the 25th year of the Wanli reign, Yang Hao and Li Rumei led their troops out of the Great Wall without authorization, resulting in the loss of more than ten generals and more than 160 soldiers.

Furthermore, in April of the 26th year of the Wanli reign, Li Rusong suddenly led more than 3,000 cavalrymen to attack the Mongol Yuan Zhaohua tribe, only to be ambushed and killed in battle!

This was only a failed attempt; if they had successfully looted, they naturally wouldn't have reported it.

The Li brothers relied on their own abilities to rob, but the Wu and Zu families were different. It was rumored that they were doing business with various Mongol tribes and even the Jurchens on their own!
Huang Taiji once jokingly said that nine out of ten Ming generals in Liaodong were doing business with him, and the other one was looking for a way to do business with him!

I don’t know if it’s true or not.

In short, the fierce generals of Liaodong would stop at nothing to support their soldiers and their families.

This resulted in the Liaodong border army's elite combat strength being extremely unstable. In the history of the Battle of Dalinghe, Zu Dashou was able to lead his troops to hold out for three months, fighting to the death and refusing to surrender. However, in the Battle of Songjin, which determined the survival of the Ming Dynasty, the Liaodong elite troops collapsed inexplicably without even fighting!

Although the Ming Dynasty is not yet at a critical juncture of life and death, the problem of the fierce generals in Liaodong establishing their own independent regimes must be resolved.

Otherwise, if the elite troops of Liaodong were to collapse inexplicably, the Ming Dynasty might be doomed!

The problem is that the Wu and Zu families wield too much power in the Liaodong army. If they were to directly seize their military power, Sun Chuanting might be in danger. If they were forced to surrender to the Jurchens, the consequences would be even more dire.

How to do?
This question really stumped Zhu Jue.

He frowned and pondered for most of the day but still couldn't come up with a solution.

Around dusk, as the sun was setting, he was still sitting in the main hall of the Yuxi Palace, deep in thought with a furrowed brow.

He only visited the factory area under construction once in the morning and once in the afternoon that day, and he seemed a little absent-minded during his inspection.

The elite troops of Liaodong are currently the most capable fighters in the entire Ming Dynasty. He absolutely cannot allow this force, which is capable of changing the course of the war, to fall into the hands of a half-hearted Liaodong general.

The problem is that Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou are both highly decorated generals at this time, and they have not shown any intention of surrendering to the Jurchens. If he were to take away their military power for no reason, he would be pushing these two families towards the Jurchens.

So how exactly can this problem be solved?
As he was frowning in thought, a voice suddenly announced from outside, "Yang He and Yang Sichang request an audience."

The father and son actually ran over together!
He recruited Yang He, not Yang Sichang.

However, Yang Sichang was indeed capable, and historically he was truly loyal to Emperor Chongzhen; it's just that Chongzhen overestimated his abilities.

This person is still usable, but shouldn't be overused.

Zhu Jue thought for a moment before announcing loudly, "Summon them."

Soon, Yang He and his son Yang Sichang strode in, cupped their hands and bowed, saying, "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty."

Yang He looks to be almost sixty years old; he already has a bit of the air of a hero past his prime.

Yang Sichang was only in his thirties, but he had a shrewd and capable appearance.

Are these two going to the Northwest together?

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then tested him, "Xiuling, rebels are rising up everywhere in the Northwest. What do you think we should do?"

You want me to go to the Northwest to quell the rebels?
I thought you wanted me to go and manage the Ji-Liao region!

Upon hearing this, Yang He thought carefully for a moment before cautiously saying, "Your Majesty, the disaster in the Northwest is severe. Not only does the court not distribute disaster relief funds and grain, but it also allows corrupt officials to exploit people at will. I dare to say that the rebellion of the disaster victims is a last resort. I believe that the priority should be to appease them."

You are indeed the master of appeasement.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and then asked, "Wenruo, what do you think?"

I disagree with my father's statement.

Yang Sichang, without looking to the side, said with righteous indignation: "In my opinion, a disaster is a disaster, and a rebellion is a rebellion. We cannot forgive the disaster victims just because they rebel. All rebels must be suppressed as a warning to others. We will find other ways to provide relief to the other disaster victims."

You're a bit too young and impetuous.

The historical Emperor Chongzhen might have liked your style, but I wouldn't think highly of you just because you set your tone high.

Your strategy of "four cardinal points and six intermediate points, ten-sided net" has major flaws. If you want to trap hundreds of thousands of rebels, mobilizing tens of thousands of troops is simply not enough. Your net is too wide, and the rebels can easily slip through.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then reminded him, "The rebels can run away. If you can't catch them, wouldn't all your efforts be in vain?"

I have certainly considered this issue.

Yang Sichang said confidently, "Your Majesty, the rebels may run away, but we can surround and intercept them. If all else fails, we can mobilize all the cavalry from the northwestern border towns to pursue them. The rebels, with their two legs, certainly cannot outrun the cavalry, who have four legs."

Warhorses from the northwestern border towns are being transferred to the capital; where are the cavalry coming from?

By the way, there are ready-made cavalry in Liaodong!

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jue suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"I could easily pull off a switcheroo!" He thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you recognize Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou?"

Yang Sichang was taken aback upon hearing this.

He didn't recognize these two generals from Liaodong. He had only passed the imperial examination in the 38th year of the Wanli reign and was a third-class Jinshi. He had been stationed in the capital for six years before returning to Beijing. He had worked in the Ministry of Revenue for six years before resigning and returning to his hometown because he couldn't stand the infighting between the Donglin Party and the eunuch faction.

In other words, he had never served as a commander-in-chief leading troops into battle, nor had he ever come into contact with border army generals.

This was also Chongzhen's biggest mistake. Could someone with no practical combat experience be entrusted with the important task of suppressing bandits?
Upon hearing this, Yang He frankly replied, "I dare not conceal anything from Your Majesty. I am on very good terms with Xiong Tingbi. When Xiong Tingbi was in charge of Liaodong, he promoted Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou. I also helped recommend them. Therefore, although I have never met them, I have some connection with them."

Oh, so you helped them out?

That would be great.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then solemnly said, "The rebellion of the disaster victims in the Northwest is for a reason and deserves our sympathy. We can focus on appeasement. If they accept the amnesty, we will let bygones be bygones. If they do not accept the amnesty, then we will have no choice but to find a way to suppress them."

Wen Ruo's words make some sense. We can mainly use cavalry to pursue and suppress the rebels. However, I have already ordered the warhorses from the northwestern border towns to be transferred to supplement the capital garrison, so we certainly can't muster any cavalry there.

Xiuling, since you have some connections with Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou, why don't you personally write a letter requesting that Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou lead 10,000 elite Guan Ning cavalry to assist you in suppressing those rebels who refuse to accept amnesty?

Uh, you're going to send the elite Guan Ning cavalry to quell the rebels?

Isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill?
There are only tens of thousands of rebels in the Northwest at most, and most of them will probably accept the amnesty. Is it really necessary to send 10,000 elite Guan Ning cavalry to hunt them down?
Besides, Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou are fierce generals who control their own territories, and it won't be easy to get them to leave Liaodong.

No, you're trying to seize their military power!
Yang He thought about it carefully, then gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to ask, do you intend to transfer Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou away from Liaodong?"

Wow, you figured it out right away!

He really has some skills.

You're quite blunt; most people probably wouldn't be able to stand it.

However, I can tolerate it.

Since you prefer to be straightforward, then I will be straightforward with you as well.

Zhu Jue nodded slowly and said, "Yes, the Liaodong border troops cannot become their private army."

really!

Upon hearing this, Yang He said with a solemn expression, "Your Majesty, they know in their hearts that they cannot lose their military power. It will be very difficult to transfer them away from Liaodong. My little bit of face is probably not as important as their lives."

Then we'll use deception.

Zhu Jue carefully instructed them: "You can write to them and tell them that the situation in the Northwest is critical, and ask them to help you. You can also tell them that I have agreed, and they will not be shortchanged in terms of military merits for this campaign to suppress the rebels. I will grant them titles and honors as they are due."

You could also remind them that the rebels in the Northwest are all talk and no action; they have no real fighting power. They're basically just picking up military credits here.

Uh, you want me to trick them!
Upon hearing this, Yang He gritted his teeth and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty, I can only say that I will do my best. I really cannot guarantee whether they will lead their troops to help me."

You have to trick them!
Zhu Jue then carefully instructed them: "You can also tell them that there are rebels everywhere in the Northwest, and the border troops there have little fighting power. If they don't go with you to help, you might lose your life. They can't be so ungrateful as to just watch you die, can they?"

Are you telling me to throw away my pride and force them to comply?

Yang He thought about it carefully, then gritted his teeth and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Then hurry up.

If this problem isn't solved, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jue decisively said, "If I am foolish, I will draft an imperial edict to promote Yang He to Minister of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Governor-General of the Three Border Regions of Shaanxi; and to promote Yang Sichang to Right Vice Minister of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Governor of Yansui."

Such an extraordinary promotion!

Yang He quickly pulled Yang Sichang along, cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

You should write it too.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then pointed to the desk next to him and said, "Write the letter now, and I will issue the imperial edict to them. We will send them over together first thing tomorrow morning."

Upon hearing this, Yang He quickly sat down to the side, thought carefully for a moment, then took out a piece of paper and began to write rapidly.

Seeing this, Zhu Jue instructed, "Ruoyu, draft an imperial edict ordering General Wu Xiang of Liaodong and Deputy General Zu Dashou of Liaodong to lead 10,000 Liaodong cavalry to accompany Governor Yang He and Governor Yang Sichang to the Northwest to suppress the rebels."

These two imperial edicts still needed to be drafted by the cabinet; otherwise, Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou might very well use this as a reason to refuse to send troops.

Zhu Jue thought for a moment, then instructed, "Ruoyu, send these two imperial edicts to the cabinet for drafting tomorrow morning. Tell them that anyone who dares to delay matters of state will be executed without mercy, no matter who they are!"

Those in positions of power must be assertive when necessary.

By this time, Yang He had also finished writing the letter.

Zhu Jue took it and examined it carefully. Then he instructed, "Xiuling and Wenruo, the Northwest has suffered severe disasters. If the court does not have enough money and grain for relief, these rebels will definitely not be wiped out in a short time. In the past few years, I have been able to squeeze some grain from the stipends of the imperial princes for disaster relief."

"You don't need to rush. Reassure those who need reassurance, and pursue those who need to be pursued. Even if the rebels keep changing their minds, I won't blame you. No matter how serious the situation, I will protect you. Just do your best to appease them and prevent the casualties from becoming too high."

What does this mean?
Are you asking us to find a way to keep Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou there?

That's not too difficult. Once Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou have passed through, it won't be so easy for them to return to Liaodong.

Yang He thought about it carefully before slowly nodding and saying, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then instructed, "Ruoyu, have someone arrange accommodations for them. You will stay in the Yangxin Hall and wait for Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou to arrive with their troops before setting off."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruoyu immediately got up and went to make arrangements.

Yang He and Yang Sichang also quickly bowed and took their leave.

After they all left, Zhu Jue picked up his pen and wrote a secret edict for Sun Chuanting.

He needed to get Sun Chuanting to quickly win over the hearts of the people with provisions and pay after Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou led their troops out, and then promote Cao Wenzhao and his nephew Cao Bianjiao to control the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry!
(End of this chapter)