How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 102 Princes, it's time to pledge your loyalty! Huang Taiji, are you scared? (Chapter 22)
In the first year of the Chongzhen reign, in the third month of spring.

The Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.

The newly appointed governor of Datong, Yuan Chonghuan, dressed in a brand-new official robe, followed the young eunuch leading the way through a series of vermilion palace gates. Beneath his feet lay smooth, golden bricks, and above him, a clear blue sky, yet Yuan Chonghuan's heart felt heavy, as if burdened by a stone.

He had just received the imperial decree to become the governor of Datong. Although this position meant he was still a governor and held military power, and could kill Tartars, what he truly hoped for was the "recovery of Liaodong in five years"!
But why did the emperor not even bother to listen to his "Five-Year Plan to Recover Liaodong" and instead listen to that Niu Jinxing? What does a mere scholar like Niu know?

"Governor Yuan, please wait a moment while I go in and inform him." The eunuch leading the way stopped outside the Wenhua Hall, a smile plastered on his face.

Yuan Chonghuan quickly composed himself, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Excellency."

The eunuch turned and entered the hall. Yuan Chonghuan stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, but his gaze involuntarily swept through the open hall doors and into the room.

That one glance sent another turmoil through his heart.

Inside the main hall, besides the imperial desk, there was a small table placed to the side. Behind the table sat a large, stout man, none other than Yang Sichang, the Director of the Ministry of War's Bureau of Military Affairs. He was engrossed in writing, his pen flying across the paper, which was piled high with documents.

Yuan Chonghuan recognized Yang Sichang. Just a few days ago, the two of them went to the Wenhua Hall together to take the "examination." Unexpectedly, they became true close ministers of the emperor in the blink of an eye! It is said that he basically does not go to the Ministry of War to report for duty. He either follows the emperor around at his side or is busy in the newly reorganized Imperial Guard Camp (Xinjing Camp).

Judging from this, His Majesty is using him as a trusted advisor, and it's only a matter of time before he enters the cabinet and becomes a prime minister.

Looking at himself... Yuan Chonghuan sighed inwardly. His Majesty wouldn't even listen to the grand plan of pacifying Liaodong in five years. This post as governor of Datong was likely a hot potato as well.

"Announcement—Governor of Datong, Yuan Chonghuan, is hereby granted an audience—"

The eunuch's high-pitched voice announced from inside the hall, followed by the young yet composed voice of Emperor Chongzhen: "Summon him."

Yuan Chonghuan quickly straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, stepped over the high threshold, and entered the Wenhua Hall.

"Your Majesty, I am Yuan Chonghuan, the Governor of Datong. I respectfully wish Your Majesty good health!" Yuan Chonghuan stepped forward, knelt down before the imperial desk, and performed a grand salute.

"Rise, Minister Yuan." Emperor Chongzhen's voice came from behind the imperial desk, carrying a hint of gentleness. "Take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yuan Chonghuan thanked the emperor and stood up, carefully sitting on half of the brocade stool brought by the eunuch, his back ramrod straight.

Emperor Chongzhen put down a memorial in his hand, his gaze falling on Yuan Chonghuan, a faint smile on his face: "Minister Yuan, the journey to Datong is of great importance and no small matter. After much consideration, I have decided that this task is best suited for you."

Yuan Chonghuan's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's grace. However... I wonder what Your Majesty's decree is regarding the Great Harmony?"

Emperor Chongzhen leaned forward slightly and tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk: "It concerns the fate of the nation! The future of the Ming Dynasty depends on how well you do in Datong!"

These words carried immense weight, and Yuan Chonghuan felt a sudden weight on his shoulders. He tentatively asked, "Your Majesty... are you referring to the matter of pacifying Hudun Tuhan Lindan? I will certainly..."

“No,” Chongzhen interrupted him, a playful smile on his lips, “Tiger Mound Rabbit? He’s not important now.”

Yuan Chonghuan was taken aback: "Your Majesty?"

Emperor Chongzhen picked up the warm rosewood cup on his desk, took a sip of the Ganzhou wolfberry tea inside, and slowly said, "Before he was defeated by Wei Zhongxian, he still had some leverage, enough for me to talk to him. But now? A Mongol Khan who couldn't even defeat Wei Zhongxian... what right does he have to negotiate with me?"

Yuan Chonghuan: "..."

Emperor Chongzhen put down his cup and looked at Yuan Chonghuan: "At that time, I will have Wei Zhongxian play the bad cop and make a show of fighting and killing along the Xuanda line. As for you, you will go and make empty promises to Huduntu and tell him that as long as he is obedient, the Ming Dynasty can give him a way out, or even... some benefits."

A pie in the sky? Yuan Chonghuan's heart skipped a beat. Was his first major task as governor, to offer a pie in the sky to a utterly defeated and helpless Khan? He opened his mouth, but ultimately dared not say anything.

Emperor Chongzhen seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled, "Don't worry, this is not difficult for you. I know you have the ability."

Yuan Chonghuan forced a smile, but his heart was filled with even more unease. His Majesty's words... sounded like he was being mocked?

"However," Chongzhen's tone suddenly turned serious, "making empty promises to Huduntu is a minor matter. Your real important task in Datong is to cooperate with Wei Zhongxian, Xu Xigao (one of the confiscated officials), and Tian Ergeng to handle the case of the Prince of Dai's collusion with Zhu Chunchen in a rebellion!" "Ah?" Yuan Chonghuan was truly bewildered this time, blurting out, "Your Majesty, Zhu Chunchen is nothing but a clown, the Prince of Dai... how dare he..." He swallowed his words. The Prince of Dai was, after all, a prince, and as an outsider, he dared not presume to judge whether a prince had actually plotted a rebellion, but deep down, he didn't quite believe it. What was the Prince of Dai after?
Chongzhen's eyes sharpened: "I know everything."

Yuan Chonghuan was even more confused. He knew? He knew what? He knew the Prince of Dai hadn't planned a rebellion?

Chongzhen's voice was not loud, but it made Yuan Chonghuan a little alarmed: "But I still want to make this case a big deal! Not only should we confirm that the Prince of Dai committed treason and send his whole family to be imprisoned in Fengyang, but we should also spread this fire to the seven princely mansions in Datong City!"

Yuan Chonghuan stared dumbfounded at the young emperor on the throne, his mind completely blank. What... what is this all about? The heavens of Datong are about to be breached! What exactly does His Majesty intend to do?
Seeing Yuan Chonghuan's horrified expression, Chongzhen's tone softened: "Minister Yuan, there's no need to worry. The villains will be handled by Wei Zhongxian, Xu Xigao, and Tian Ergeng. They will be responsible for investigating cases, arresting people, and confiscating property. They should make a big show of it, so that those imperial descendants in Datong City will be restless and terrified day and night."

He paused, his eyes fixed intently on Yuan Chonghuan: "And you, Yuan Qing, you must be a good person and go and make empty promises to those seven princely mansions in Datong Prefecture, as well as all the high-ranking generals and lieutenants!"

"Another empty promise!" Yuan Chonghuan felt he was about to break down, and his lips twitched involuntarily. But he could only suppress the absurdity in his heart and ask with a forced smile, "Your Majesty... what kind of empty promise do you want me to make?"

Emperor Chongzhen stood up, walked to the hanging map, and pointed to the location of Datong: "Datong is an important town on the nine borders, but the land is barren, the output is limited, and transportation is inconvenient. It has to support tens of thousands of soldiers in Datong, as well as the Prince of Dai's mansion, seven Princes' mansions, and countless generals, lieutenants, and members of the imperial family... The burden is too heavy for Shanxi and the court!"

He turned around, his gaze intense: "Minister Yuan, tell them that Datong is bitterly cold and not a place to live for long. If they are willing to leave Datong, the court can arrange for them to relocate to the prosperous and warm Jiangnan region! They can live a better life there. The court can also, at its discretion, convert their legally acquired estates into land in Jiangnan or cash as compensation."

Yuan Chonghuan's eyes gradually widened as he listened.

Chongzhen continued, "If any of them are princes or lower-ranking members of the imperial clan who are willing to request the lifting of the ban and engage in the four professions of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, the court will welcome them even more! Moreover, they will be given travel expenses and settlement allowances for traveling south."

Yuan Chonghuan suddenly realized! So that's how it is! His Majesty is using the thunderous momentum of investigating the Prince of Dai's rebellion to have Wei Zhongxian and others wield the butcher's knife and create panic in front, while he himself plays the good guy behind the scenes, offering seemingly generous conditions to coax and intimidate all the imperial princes and their sons who live off the imperial stipends and occupy military lands in Datong City!
Isn't this just a variation of the "Plan for Moving Feudal States to Sichuan" that His Majesty mentioned before? Except that these Zhu family members from Datong didn't go to Sichuan, but to Jiangnan... or perhaps, to make a living on their own?

Having figured this out, Yuan Chonghuan was filled with mixed feelings. This job... wasn't particularly difficult; it was simply a matter of being a "charity boy" and a "persuader." But the scheming and tactics behind it made this governor, who prided himself on his military expertise, feel a chill run down his spine. He sighed helplessly to himself; he couldn't disobey the imperial decree, and he had to continue serving.

He took a deep breath, rose from his seat, and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty... understands! Your Majesty's wisdom and foresight are profound. Your Majesty... will certainly do your utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations! You will certainly do your best to persuade the princes and members of the imperial family to share the burdens of the court!"

Watching Yuan Chonghuan's troubled yet obliging figure disappear outside the palace gates, Chongzhen slowly sat back on his throne, a look of weariness mixed with satisfaction on his face. He picked up the rosewood cup again; the tea made with Ganzhou wolfberries was warm and palatable. He took a sip, moistening his slightly dry throat.

“Fat old man,” Chongzhen suddenly spoke, his voice not loud.

Yang Sichang, who had been engrossed in writing at the small table, immediately put down his pen upon hearing the sound, stood up, walked quickly to the imperial desk, and bowed, saying, "Your subject is here."

Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand, his tone unusually casual: "No need for such formalities. I don't even dare to speak to you like this... Go back and sit down."

Yang Sichang felt a surge of warmth in his heart, an indescribable emotion welling up within him, his eyes even stinging with tears. What profound trust and closeness this was! He suppressed his emotions and respectfully replied, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Then, as instructed, he retreated to his small table and sat down, his back still ramrod straight.

Emperor Chongzhen cast his gaze upon the bright spring sunshine outside the palace, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Old man, do you think... we should now send Niu Jinxing's 'Policy on Establishing Three Feudatories in Liaodong to Secure the Border' to the Jurchens?"

Yang Sichang was taken aback upon hearing this, then realized what was going on: "Your Majesty means...?"

Emperor Chongzhen's lips curled into a cold smile: "In the past, Shi Chaoyi was betrayed by all and ultimately met his end. Who knows if Huang Taiji won't become the same Shi Chaoyi today?"

He paused, then said, "I... am very much looking forward to seeing Huang Taiji's expression when he sees this!"

Yang Sichang also laughed: "Does His Majesty expect the Jurchens to develop internal strife and fall into disarray because of this?"

Emperor Chongzhen slowly shook his head, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Not entirely."

He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and spoke slowly and deliberately:
"I would rather he...be afraid!"

"Let him know that as long as he can't break through Shanhaiguan and the Great Wall, he'll become the next Shi Chaoyi sooner or later! As long as he can't break through, he'll surely perish, and someone will send his head to me!"

The hall fell silent for a moment. Yang Sichang looked at the young emperor on the throne, his heart filled with dread, and nodded heavily.

This grand scheme has only just begun. And Huang Taiji, far away in Shengjing, probably never imagined that he had already become the prey of this young emperor!
(End of this chapter)