Huangming

Chapter 37 A Favor That Cannot Be Repaid, Stabilizing the Nation and Supporting the People in Crisis

After leaving the Duanben Hall of Cining Palace, Zhang Zhiji remained sullen and silent, as if burdened with many worries.

Luo Yangxing, standing to one side, still retained some of the youthful vigor and ambition of a young man.

If you master martial arts, aren't you just going to sell them to the emperor?

Many people have never had the chance to see His Majesty's face, yet he not only saw it but also gained His Majesty's trust and respect.

Luo Yangxing suddenly felt that the future was bright.

"Ah~"

The two walked to the front hall corridor, and Zhang Zhiji dismissed the Imperial Guards 'Great Han General' who were resting there, and suddenly sighed.

"Why is the young duke sighing?" Luo Yangxing asked, his face showing confusion.

When we met the Emperor just now, His Majesty valued this eldest son of the Duke highly, so why does this fellow look so sullen?

"You don't understand. If you could just laze around all day, with everything done for you, and if you were in the mood to listen to music at the East City Music Bureau, or go to the West Courtyard for horse racing and drinking, and if you wanted some excitement, the Yangzhou slender horses at Cuiyun Pavilion and the courtesans at Zuixianlou could keep you from getting out of bed the next day, wouldn't you want that kind of life?"

Zhang Zhiji spoke with a look of reminiscence on his face.

Luo Yangxing had no interest in such matters of romance and simply said, "Women will only slow down my sword-drawing speed. Young Duke, do not waste your skills."

Zhang Zhiji rolled his eyes at Luo Yangxing and said, "You're not old enough yet. When you are, you'll probably be even more interested in this than I am. I'll take you to experience it another day."

But before he could finish speaking, Zhang Zhiji started scratching his head.

Would he still dare to go now?
His Majesty wants him to be the general who breaks through the enemy lines at Yanshan. How can he be a carefree wanderer in the mortal world?

I should have pretended to be sick!
just
With His Majesty's abilities, there's no point in him feigning illness.

"I'm not interested in women!" Luo Yangxing said, arms crossed, his eyes as firm as iron.

Zhang Zhiji chuckled coldly and said, "There are several hidden doors under the west corridor of Huguo Temple. There are some pretty women inside. A transaction costs no more than three coins of silver. You'll know what it's like when you go."

"Humph!"

Luo Yangxing snorted coldly and said, "I will immediately inform the Shuntian Prefecture and have them search this place!"

"you."

Zhang Zhiji leaned weakly against the railing, slumped like Ge You.

Having entered the palace once, I can't just give up now; I'll have to work with this blockhead from now on.

Zhang Zhiji felt that his future was bleak.

In the Duanben Hall.

After Zhang Zhiji and Luo Yangxing left, Zhu Youxiao sent someone to Zhenjue Temple to summon Gao Huai.

As for why a eunuch was not in the imperial city but in a temple, Zhu Youxiao only understood the reason after asking Wang Tiqian.

Zhenjue Temple was rebuilt by Zhang Rui, a eunuch of the Imperial Horse Administration, during the Zhengde period, specifically to take in elderly and destitute eunuchs.

This is a solution to the problem of eunuchs' retirement.

Another example of a temple built by imperial decree is Zhihua Temple, which was constructed by Wang Zhen.

In fact, given Gao Huai's status, he shouldn't have had to retire to Zhenjue Temple. After all, he was one of the most prominent eunuchs in the palace during the late Wanli period, and he was also sent to Liaodong as a mining supervisor, where he could make a lot of money.

He could easily spend some money to buy land outside the palace, build a private residence to live in luxury, and have a large number of servants.

Unfortunately, Gao Huai did not do a good job in Liaodong, or rather, he messed things up.

Gao Huai was ordered to open mines and collect taxes in Liaodong.

His henchman Liao Guotai persecuted the people, inciting a popular uprising. He not only framed and arrested dozens of scholars, but also impeached Ma Lin, the general of Liaodong, and embezzled soldiers' pay, leading to mutinies among the border garrisons in Qiantunwei, Jinzhou, Songshan and other places.

After fleeing back to the capital in haste, this man falsely accused Wang Bangcai, the Assistant Magistrate, and Li Huoyang, the Deputy Commander, ultimately causing unrest throughout the Liaodong region.

He was able to live to old age only because he had exhausted his savings through various connections, which allowed him to barely cling to life.

Otherwise, it's not impossible for them to end up like lowly eunuchs, wandering the streets or returning home destitute, and even freezing to death on the street in some cold winter.

By the time Gao Huai entered the palace, Zhu Youxiao had already finished his evening meal and returned from mourning at the Qianqing Palace. At this moment, the sky was filled with stars, and a gentle autumn breeze carried a hint of chill.

Zhu Youxiao performed a set of Five Animal Frolics exercises, washed himself clean with the help of palace servants, changed into a set of dry everyday clothes, and then went to Duanbentang to meet the old eunuch Gao Huai.

"This servant greets Your Majesty." Gao Huai was filled with unease, wondering why the new emperor had summoned him.

Are they here to interrogate me?

As for giving him an important position?

He is very old, and even if His Majesty wanted to give him an important position, he would not have the energy or will to do so.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and asked, "Gao Huai, I summoned you today to inquire about the situation in Liaodong."

It turns out they were asking about something.

Now, Gao Huai only wanted to live out the rest of his life in peace. Faced with the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty's question, he immediately said, "Your Majesty, please ask. This old servant will answer to the best of my knowledge."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and asked, "The resignation letter that Xiong Tingbi, the Liaodong military commissioner, submitted to me today states: 'The people of Liaodong are selling their wives and daughters to pay taxes; nine out of ten households are empty, and corpses of the starving fill the roads.' Is this true or false?"

Gao Huai remained silent for a moment. If he were younger, he certainly wouldn't have told the emperor the answer.

Because this was not the answer the emperor wanted to hear.

but now
never mind.

Gao Huai immediately said, "This is indeed the situation in Liaodong. When I was in Liaodong, this situation had already occurred. Now, with the constant fighting in Liaodong, the situation will only get worse."

What is the reason?

Gao Huai bluntly stated: "The main problem is the excessive taxation. The 'Liaojiang tax' levied an additional 9 li of silver per mu, resulting in an actual tax burden of 1.2 liang of silver per mu for farmers in Liaodong. In ordinary years, the yield per mu was less than 1 liang of silver."

In other words, even if people work hard to cultivate the land, by the end of the year they will not only have no surplus, but will also be in debt.

Zhu Youxiao felt heavy-hearted and asked again, "There are many deserters in the Ming army in Liaodong, and the number of soldiers is seriously insufficient. Border generals are using empty salaries to support their own troops. Is this true?"

Gao Huai nodded and said, "That is indeed the case. Not only, as Your Majesty said, there are also arrears in military pay, and soldiers are pawning their armor and weapons to exchange for food in order to survive. Furthermore, the equipment is rotten, most of the muskets are rusted and burst, and the armor is damaged beyond repair."

The Qing army numbered less than ten thousand; if it numbered ten thousand, they would be invincible.

But Zhu Youxiao had also heard another saying:
The Ming army was not fully paid, and they were invincible if they were fully paid.

Frankly speaking, the Ming army in Liaodong had done its best to withstand the Later Jin's attack under such harsh conditions.

Zhu Youxiao asked a few more questions, but then lost interest.

He bestowed some wealth upon Gao Huai and ordered someone to escort him back to Zhenjue Temple.

Zhu Youxiao immediately summoned Wei Chao. He first picked up a brush and wrote the words "not permitted" on Xiong Tingbi's resignation letter.

He then put down the brush and said to Wei Chao, "I will read, you write."

Wei Chao immediately picked up a brush, unfolded the imperial edict paper, dipped it in ink, and prepared to write.

Zhu Youxiao's words had already been spoken:
"I hereby instruct Xiong Tingbi, the Liaodong Military Commissioner:"

Having read your memorial, "Memorial Resigning from the Liaodong Military Command," I am deeply moved by your earnest words. However, Liaodong is in grave danger, and the nine border regions are in turmoil. Only you can stabilize the situation and save the nation!

When Wei Chao wrote this, he was startled.

He tried to speak, but the emperor didn't give him a chance, because the emperor was speaking at that moment:
"When you were stationed in Liaodong, you executed deserters to maintain military discipline and built strong fortifications to secure the border. The Jianzhou barbarians trembled at the mere mention of your name. This is the legacy of Zhuge Liang. Although you have suffered a minor setback, how can you be so easily discouraged? In the past, Guo Ziyi was slandered but did not change his loyalty, and Yue Fei was wronged but still fought bravely. You should emulate them."

I know you are upright and outspoken, and have been hindered in many ways. I have ordered the Ministry of Personnel to thoroughly investigate those who slander you. The Liaodong military pay of 500,000 taels of silver will be delivered immediately, and the 3,000 elite firearms battalion will be under your command. Furthermore, you are granted an Imperial Sword. Anyone who obstructs Liaodong affairs will be executed first and reported later!

Emperor Xuan of Han once decreed to Zhao Chongguo, "General, eat well and be cautious in military affairs." I also hope that you will eat well and train your troops. When we have pacified the Jianzhou Jurchens and your name is inscribed in the Hall of Heroes, would that not be wonderful? If you still mention resigning, it would be like abandoning me to the brink of disaster!

"A red robe and a jade belt are bestowed upon you by imperial decree to commemorate your merits."

After Wei Chao finished writing the imperial edict, he was deeply moved.

The Donglin Party members were determined to overthrow Xiong Tingbi and recommended Yuan Yingtai to manage Liaodong.

Isn't Your Majesty's move a direct confrontation with them?

(End of this chapter)