Chapter 318: The Qing Troops Exit the Pass; Rewards and Honors

Chen Xinjia and the main army rested and reorganized at Pinggu for three days. Not until the sixteenth day of the second month, after leaving a portion of troops at Pinggu to guard the provisions and civilians, did he lead the remaining forces in pursuit toward Tianjin.

Chen Xinjia led his troops with extreme "caution"; he advanced step by step, securing each camp, and only reached Tianjin on the twentieth.

Huang Taiji had already reached Tianjin on the tenth. By the time Chen Xinjia arrived at Tianjin, the captives and valuables they were escorting had already passed Fengrun. By the time Chen Xinjia's main army reached Fengrun, they had already all exited the pass through Qingshankou at Qian'an.

After exiting the pass, Huang Taiji and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief. Since leaving Pinggu, they had been under extreme tension every day; reports on Wang Dou's movements came several times daily, and Huang Taiji personally reviewed them. Fortunately, Chen Xinjia was "cautious," and although Wang Dou was among their main army, he did not lead troops in pursuit.

On the twenty-fourth day of the second month in the twelfth year of Chongzhen, upon receiving word that Huang Taiji had exited the pass, Wang Dou rose in the middle of the night, threw on his clothes, and stood gazing long at the brilliant starry night.

Historically, this campaign that began in the eleventh year of Chongzhen saw the Qing army inside the pass for half a year, abducting over four hundred sixty thousand people. Though his own appearance had altered history somewhat and he had recovered two hundred thousand people, two hundred fifty thousand civilians were still abducted, along with countless silver taels and valuables...

After a long while, Wang Dou closed his eyes: "In this war, I have already done my utmost. I, Wang Dou, have a clear conscience."

The first day of the third month, twelfth year of Chongzhen.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, the Chongzhen Emperor carefully scrutinized a list in his hands. Upon receiving word that the Qing troops had left the pass, the entire court breathed a sigh of relief.

The various armies that had come to the capital's defense returned to the capital region, and the related post-campaign matters were urgently set in motion. Those with merit needed to be rewarded; those who had failed in their duties needed to be punished. The Chongzhen Emperor ordered Yang Sichang to oversee the rewards and punishments for all officials. Yang Sichang memorialized on five categories of failure: failure to defend the frontier, allowing cities to be ravaged, losing princely fiefs, losing commanding generals, and hoarding troops while watching idly.

The final verdict: from the Jizhen Supervising Eunuch Zheng Xizhao, the Branch Supervising Eunuch Sun Maolin, the Shuntian Provincial Governor Chen Zubao, the Baoding Provincial Governor Zhang Qiping, the Shandong Provincial Governor Yan Jizu, the Shandong Provincial Governor Ni Chong, the Relief-Expedition Regional Commander Zu Kuan, down to the responsible officials of each department and county — thirty-six were sentenced to death, and over two hundred were demoted or stripped of rank.

Regarding the punishment list drafted by Yang Sichang, the Chongzhen Emperor, aside from making slight adjustments, had essentially no objections. But as for the promotion and reward list... the Chongzhen Emperor pondered for a long while, then summoned Yang Sichang to speak with him.

"General Wang has rendered many great services, yet he is only substantively appointed as Vice Regional Military Commissioner of the Wandu Regional Military Commission, serving as the Mobile Corps Commander for the Eastern Route Defense of the Huailong Circuit in Xuanzhen?"

Pointing at Wang Dou's name on the reward list, the Chongzhen Emperor demanded an explanation from Yang Sichang.

Wang Dou originally belonged to the guard battalion system, holding the hereditary post of Guard Commander of the Bao'an Guard. From Guard Commander to substantively appointed Vice Regional Military Commissioner of the Wandu Regional Military Commission was a leap of four full ranks — a speed of promotion that would make anyone envious.

However, guard battalion posts were currently worthless. In this campaign, Wang Dou had fought from Tongzhou to Dingzhou, and from Julu back to Zhuozhou and Pinggu, taking several thousand heads and rescuing two hundred thousand civilians — achievements of astonishing, extraordinary merit. Moreover, the title "Bravest of the Three Armies" for Wang Dou had been personally conferred by the Chongzhen Emperor. Even out of regard for the Emperor's favor, Yang Sichang should have set Wang Dou's garrison assignment at Vice Regional Commander or Regional Commander.

Faced with the Emperor's question, Yang Sichang hurriedly and respectfully replied, "In reply to Your Majesty, your minister's intention in this is also born of a desire to preserve a loyal and brave general of the Great Ming."

Yang Sichang said, "General Wang has rendered much merit, yet he is young and of shallow experience. To suddenly attain high rank would instead breed arrogance in him. It would be better to let him continue to gain experience. General Wang is a man who understands the greater picture, and he will surely comprehend the court's intention to preserve him."

The Chongzhen Emperor's expression softened slightly. He paced slowly within the chamber. Yang Sichang's words had reminded him: Wang Dou was not yet thirty, yet he had already risen to the high rank of Vice Regional Military Commissioner. If there were further great victories in the future, what would happen when there was no higher rank to bestow, no greater reward to grant? Given Wang Dou's martial valor, this was a very likely scenario.

Since the Battle of Zhuozhou, the Chongzhen Emperor had paid particular attention to Wang Dou. Regarding the several battles at Tongzhou and Pinggu, the Chongzhen Emperor had received various secret reports. Wang Dou was actually this fierce and brave — over ten thousand slave soldiers dared not fight him and voluntarily retreated. Even the slave chieftain Hong Tai retreated after a single engagement, abandoning the large number of civilians and population at Pinggu to flee.

To have such a general in the Great Ming brought the Chongzhen Emperor some measure of comfort. The Great Ming was not without generals who dared to fight!

However, it was also not good for Wang Dou to stand out so far above the rest. The officers and troops of the Great Ming's various garrisons, with Wang Dou's coordination, were like wolves and tigers; without Wang Dou's coordination, they suffered utter defeat. Wang Dou, a mere Mobile Corps Commander, had already become a figure like the soul of the Great Ming's army — too incredible, too astonishing.

If Wang Dou were now appointed Regional Commander, setting aside the issue of vacancies in the Xuanfu Garrison, his power would swell even further, and his battle effectiveness would become even more terrifying. Along with status and power would inevitably come unfathomable ambition and wild fancies. Would Wang Dou then still be so loyal to the court?

The Chongzhen Emperor's nature was to support those he valued to the very end, as with Yang Sichang. After personally conferring upon Wang Dou the title "Bravest of the Three Armies," he had placed great hopes on him. The Chongzhen Emperor was overjoyed at Wang Dou's battle achievements, but that did not mean he wished to see another Yue Wumu appear in his lifetime.

For other generals it did not matter, but judging from Wang Dou's series of battle achievements, his ability... it would be well to somewhat restrain the speed of his rewards and promotions.

Then the Chongzhen Emperor hesitated again. He said slowly, "I only fear that if the reward for merit is too meager, it will chill the hearts of loyal and brave officers and men."

Wang Dou needed "tempering through experience," but if he became resentful because of this and thereafter feared battle and avoided combat, that was also not something the Chongzhen Emperor wished to see.

Yang Sichang said, "Your Majesty, you may bestow upon General Wang many commendations in honorary titles... Your minister proposes that General Wang be appointed as State-Stabilizing General, with the special honor of Military Protector. By imperial mandate, confer upon his wife, née Xie, the title of Second-Rank Lady, and upon his mother, née Zhong, the title of Second-Rank Grand Lady. Posthumously confer upon his father, Wang Wei, the title of State-Upholding General. Moved by gratitude, General Wang will surely serve Your Majesty with all his might."

State-Stabilizing General and State-Upholding General were both titles of "honorary rank." Whenever an official of the Great Ming entered government service, he would receive an "honorary rank" corresponding to his grade. There were thirty grades of honorary rank for military officials, each corresponding to a different salary standard — much like the military ranks and corresponding pay of later ages.

With Wang Dou promoted to Vice Regional Military Commissioner, by regulation his honorary rank would initially be conferred as Garrisoning-State General, then promoted to State-Stabilizing General, with the additional conferral of State-Upholding General. As for the honorific title, it was something only exceptionally outstanding civil and military officials could receive. For Wang Dou's rank of Vice Regional Military Commissioner, second grade, the corresponding honorific title was "Military Protector." Among the many officers who had come to the capital's defense, Wang Dou alone enjoyed such glory.

The Chongzhen Emperor nodded. In the Great Ming, to have an official's wife appointed by imperial mandate as a titled lady was a matter of immense honor, let alone the posthumous conferral upon his father and mother. Even if Wang Dou gained little benefit in his substantive posting, with so many honors and glories, he would surely be very satisfied.

Of course, all these honors and glories granted to Wang Dou were, for the Chongzhen Emperor, matters of bestowing favor without incurring cost.

He said slowly, "Let it be as you, my beloved minister, have proposed."

He took a turn within the chamber, then suddenly said to Yang Sichang, "By the way, when the various generals who came to the capital's defense returned to the capital region and you, my beloved minister, went by my decree to convey my regards, did General Wang make any requests of the court?"

Yang Sichang said, "General Wang stated that in this defense of the capital, his Shunxiang Army suffered severe losses, with over two thousand officers and men killed or wounded. He hopes the court will provide additional compensation: for each fallen officer and soldier, he requests one hundred taels of settlement silver; for each wounded officer and soldier, fifty taels of settlement silver. General Wang also requests that the civilians rescued at Pinggu be incorporated as military households in the Huailong Circuit of Xuanzhen."

The Chongzhen Emperor felt a sense of relief. He said, "When officers and men die in service to the state, the court should indeed provide generous compensation. However, the treasury is empty, and silver, grain, and rice are quite insufficient. Let the Ministry of Revenue provide fifty thousand taels of silver. The remaining settlement silver may be covered by the twenty thousand dan of grain and rice and twenty thousand head of pigs and sheep seized at Pinggu. As for the civilians rescued at Pinggu and the corresponding plow oxen and such, let it be as General Wang requests. Furthermore, the grain tax levied on the Eastern Route shall be remitted for three years."

It was good that Wang Dou was not without desires. Wang Dou's request to incorporate the rescued civilians as military households led the Chongzhen Emperor to surmise that Wang Dou intended to profit from these new military households in the future. After all, this was how all the officers of the Great Ming's various Regional Military Commissions and guard battalions behaved.

Toward Wang Dou's potential corruption, he would simply turn a blind eye. He had heard that Wang Dou was formidable at military farming; perhaps in the future he could collect taxes from him.

The civilians and grain at Pinggu had been seized back by Wang Dou and the others. When Chen Xinjia's main army arrived, all the grain, rice, pigs, and sheep were converted into military provisions and livestock. Although the main army consumed a considerable amount, there still remained tens of thousands of dan of grain and rice and tens of thousands of head of pigs and sheep. After the Ministry of Revenue officials took inventory, it greatly alleviated the Chongzhen Emperor's pressing needs.

"Your Majesty is sagacious."

Yang Sichang sang a line of praise, then added, "General Wang also stated that his main army, having undergone several great battles, is short of weapons and armor, and requests the court to provide replacements. In the Battle of Pinggu, the eastern slaves used firearms in battle. To guard against future concerns, General Wang requests the allocation of twenty red-barbarian cannons, three thousand Lumi muskets, and two hundred cannon-casting artisans from the Armory Bureau and the Weapons Bureau."

"Firearms in battle?"

The Chongzhen Emperor said pensively, "This matter requires deep deliberation by the Grand Secretariat!"

He said, "Firearms are crucial weapons of the army and state. Cannon-casting artisans cannot be allocated to the frontier garrisons. Order the two bureaus to allocate one thousand sets of iron armor, two thousand sets of padded armor, ten red-barbarian cannons, and one thousand Lumi muskets to be issued to General Wang's camp. As for the remaining weapons, let the Xuan-Da Viceroy Chen Xinjia properly deliberate and decide."

"Your Majesty is sagacious."

Yang Sichang sang another line of praise, and finally said, "Regarding the matter of Sun Chuanting, your minister has something to memorialize."

A few days earlier, when the various armies that had come to the capital's defense returned to the capital region, the Chongzhen Emperor appointed Sun Chuanting as Viceroy of Baoding, Shandong, and Henan, and also decided to keep all of the Shaanxi troops for the defense of Jizhou and Liaodong.

Sun Chuanting submitted a memorial requesting an audience with the Emperor. Because of Yang Sichang's counsel, the Chongzhen Emperor refused to see him. As a result, Sun Chuanting submitted a request to resign on grounds of illness. Yang Sichang then told the Chongzhen Emperor that Sun Chuanting's claim of illness was a pretext to shirk his duties. The Chongzhen Emperor was furious and immediately demoted Sun Chuanting to commoner status, then imprisoned him pending judgment.

Now that Yang Sichang was bringing up Sun Chuanting, what matter was it about?

"Grand Secretary, Wang Dou is growing more and more insolent. I dispatched messengers to Pinggu to request reinforcements, yet he completely ignored them, showing no regard for me at all."

In Yang Sichang's study, Chen Xinjia, facing Yang Sichang who stood with hands clasped behind his back gazing out the window, poured out his grievances.

"I sent several waves of messengers to Pinggu, but all vanished without a trace. When I questioned Wang Dou, he claimed he never received any request for reinforcements. How is that possible?"

"Wang Dou's insolent attitude, and especially the fierce valor of his troops — the various banners of the eastern slaves all dared not fight him. The Grand Secretary once said that to repel external threats, one must first pacify the interior. We must be wary..."

"Enough!"

Yang Sichang suddenly shouted.

He glared at Chen Xinjia: "Lord Chen, what are you trying to do? Do you want to push Wang Dou into rebelling in anger?"

"If that day truly comes, can you bear the responsibility?"

Yang Sichang spoke with utter bluntness, laying bare Chen Xinjia's intentions without the slightest concealment. It struck like a thunderclap, leaving Chen Xinjia stunned.

If Wang Dou were truly driven to that point by him, no matter how things turned out for Wang Dou, the first head to fall would certainly be his own — after all, he was the Viceroy of Xuan-Da. Given the Great Ming's current situation, even if Wang Dou were to make any unusual moves in the future, so long as he was willing to accept pacification, the imperial court would surely grant him amnesty.

Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, and the like — which of them had not surrendered and rebelled again six or seven times? Even when the tomb of the Great Ancestor, the Exalted Emperor, was burned, the Chongzhen Emperor still issued edicts to offer amnesty. But if trouble broke out under their jurisdiction, every single one of these high-ranking civil officials of the Great Ming would lose their heads. The Emperor dared not kill military officers who led troops, but when it came to killing civil officials, his hand never hesitated in the slightest.

Chen Xinjia realized the consequences, and cold sweat instantly streamed down his face. He could not afford to indulge his own temper — after all, times had changed, and the civil officials and military officers of the Great Ming were no longer in the same situation as before. This was especially true for a general as capable in battle as Wang Dou.

Yang Sichang's icy gaze swept over Chen Xinjia, and he softened his tone: "Lord Chen, the outer barbarians are not yet vanquished, and the inner bandits are not yet pacified. Though General Wang has the temperament of a military man, he is filled with loyalty and a heart devoted to the nation. Such a fine general must be handled with appeasement above all, and won over with sincere effort."

Chen Xinjia murmured his assent.

Yang Sichang sighed: "As the saying goes, the pavilion closest to the water enjoys the moonlight first. Wang Dou, as an officer of Xuan-Da, is still within our reach to draw to our side. This matter requires some careful thought, for we are not the only ones with such intentions."

"Just like that Xue Guoguan…"

At the mention of Xue Guoguan, Yang Sichang's heart filled with wariness. After Liu Yuliang was dismissed, Xue Guoguan had vaulted into the position of Senior Grand Secretary, deeply trusted by the Chongzhen Emperor and regarded as a second Wen Tiren. Yang Sichang had received intelligence that Xue Guoguan was extremely interested in Wang Dou and had repeatedly made overtures — how could he not understand his intentions?

Indeed, he, Yang Sichang, was deeply favored by the Emperor, and especially against the backdrop of Wang Dou's achievements, the Emperor's rewards for him had reached their zenith. But as the saying goes, when glory reaches its peak, decline follows — and imperial favor in particular is profoundly unpredictable and unfathomable. Today the Emperor might favor him, Yang Sichang; tomorrow he could just as easily kick him aside and turn his favor to Xue Guoguan instead.

Since the present Emperor ascended the throne, there had been far too many such examples. He needed a powerful figure from the frontier garrisons as a backer, so that even if he himself fell one day, there would still be a day when he could rise again. Wang Dou was an excellent person to draw to his side. Not only was he fierce in battle, but his room for growth was still immense.

Yet Yang Sichang could not fully fathom this man Wang Dou. When he had dealt with him, Wang Dou had taken the initiative to request "field experience," seeking only the position of Assistant Regional Commander for a section of the Eastern Route, in order to dispel the sovereign's suspicions. He had opened his mouth to demand large quantities of wealth and silver, in order to allay the sovereign's misgivings. The depth of his cunning was nothing like that of a military man who had risen from a minor guard battalion.

But why had he demanded that he speak on Sun Chuanting's behalf?

After a long while, Yang Sichang sighed: "Wang Dou…"

……

The sixth day of the third month, in the twelfth year of the Chongzhen reign.

The Chongzhen Emperor held a grand court assembly, and all those who had rendered meritorious service in this campaign received the Emperor's rewards and posthumous honors one by one.

Among the civil officials, Yang Sichang was recognized for the highest merit, granted the title of Specially Advanced Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, the order of Left Pillar of State, and a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander post for one son.

Chen Xinjia was promoted to Left Chief Censor and concurrently Minister of War, with a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Company Commander post for one son.

Hong Chengchou was transferred from Viceroy of the Three Frontiers to Viceroy of Ji-Liao.

Sun Chuanting was relieved of his original post and demoted to commoner status, but spared the suffering of imprisonment.

Lu Xiangsheng was posthumously honored as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, given the posthumous name Zhonglie, granted an imperial sacrifice and burial, and had a shrine built for his worship. His wife, Lady Wang, was imperially invested as a First-Rank Lady.

Among the military officers, Yang Guozhu was recognized for the highest merit, granted the title of Grand Master of Glory and Happiness, Left Chief Military Commissioner, and a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander post for one son.

Hu Dawei was granted the title of Right Chief Military Commissioner, with a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Company Commander post for one son.

Wang Dou was granted the title of State-Pacifying General, the order of Guard Army, and a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Company Commander post for one son. His wife, his mother, and his father all received rewards and posthumous honors.

Zhang Yan, Assistant Regional Commander of Xuanfu, was posthumously honored as General of Swift Cavalry, granted an imperial sacrifice and burial, had a shrine built by the authorities, received a three-rank promotion in his hereditary military rank, and a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Company Commander post for one son.

Han Zhong was posthumously honored as General of Illustrious Might, granted an imperial sacrifice and burial, had a shrine built by the authorities, and a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Platoon Leader post for one son.

Yang Tong was posthumously honored as General of Martial Virtue, granted an imperial sacrifice and burial, had a shrine built by the authorities, and a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Squad Leader post for one son.

……

In the court hall, Wang Dou, dressed in the official robes of a Vice Regional Military Commissioner of the second rank, listened quietly to the bestowals and posthumous honors. His official robe and waist token were vastly different from before. Behind him stood a large group of Shunxiang Army officers, all clad in newly styled official robes, every face alight with expressions of overwhelming excitement.

Wang Dou's expression was calm. When he heard Lu Xiangsheng's posthumous honors, he let out a breath of relief in his heart and thought to himself, "Lord Viceroy, you have finally received what you deserved…"

"…In our Great Ming, with civil officials like Lord Yang, and military officers like Yang Guozhu and Wang Dou, we shall surely…"

The Emperor's cadenced voice seemed very distant. Finally, after the Chongzhen Emperor had finished speaking, Wang Dou prostrated himself along with the assembled officials: "Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years."

……

"General Wang, until we meet again."

On the eighth day, Wang Dou's Shunxiang Army, along with the Xuan-Da forces under Chen Xinjia and Yang Guozhu, turned back toward Baodingzhou. Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen, and the others likewise had to return to their own garrisons. Having basked in Wang Dou's reflected glory, they had all been promoted to Right Chief Military Commissioner and had privately received large quantities of mules, horses, and silver. When they parted outside Zhengyangmen, Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen were both deeply reluctant to say goodbye.

"We shall meet again."

Wang Dou solemnly exchanged salutes with them and took his leave. He knew that perhaps in the not-too-distant future, he would see them again.

"General, take care."

Xu Yue'e also led her horse-bandit troops away. The Chongzhen Emperor had been rather curious about this woman. Xu Yue'e had rendered considerable service at Julu and Zhuozhou; although she came from a bandit background, she had rendered merit to the state and was willing to accept amnesty. After the Ministry of War's decision on rewards, she was appointed Garrison Commander of Zanhuangxian.

Wang Dou watched her depart in silence. Her fiery red cape billowed ceaselessly, and only that one backward glance remained deeply etched in Wang Dou's heart.

Watching the departing figures of Wang Dou's great army, Sun Chuanting slipped out from within the city gate. His expression was complex, and he murmured to himself, "I never expected… it would be Wang Dou who saved me."

Wang Dou's great army reached Changping, where they picked up Zhong Diaoyang, Xie Yike, and their party, who had recovered from their wounds and hurried over. In a mighty procession, they turned back toward Baoanzhou. A few days later, they arrived home and saw their long-separated loved ones.

Wang Dou saw his mother, Lady Zhong, his wife Xie Xiuniang, Ji Junjiao, and the others. Wen Fangliang saw his wife and various concubines, as well as his eight children. Wen Daxing arrived before a courtyard in Shunxiangbao, and what greeted him was the overjoyed Gao Lingshuang and her younger sister.

Han Chao saw his wife, Lady Zheng. Gao Xun saw his wife, Lady Tian, and his children. Of course, not everyone met with laughter and joy. Han Zhong's wife, Young Lady Li, received only her husband's coffin and ashes, and so too did Yang Tong's wife…

In the reunion of loved ones, amid the joy there were also tears. After returning to Baoanzhou, Wu Zhengchun also decided to marry. His wife was Chen Xu's daughter, Chen Suniang.

Wu Zhengchun and Chen Suniang had fallen in love at first sight. Having experienced many things, Wu Zhengchun did not set high demands on a woman's appearance; he only needed her to be considerate of her man, and Chen Suniang was very good in that regard. However, Chen Suniang did have one small worry. She quietly said to Wu Zhengchun, "Husband, your servant has always loved eating meat most of all. I only fear…"

Wu Zhengchun held her tightly in his arms and murmured comfortingly, "Suniang, set your heart at ease. I can afford to provide for you."

Xie Yike also had a pleasant surprise when he returned home. His wife, Young Lady Chu, was a proper person and had always been unwilling to cooperate in that regard, but that very night…

Young Lady Chu shyly said to Xie Yike, "Husband, your servant has thought things through…"

She said in a low voice, "Your servant wishes to reward you."

She assumed a certain posture. Xie Yike took one look — was this not the rear-entry position that he usually loved most, yet his wife had absolutely refused to cooperate with?

In that moment, Xie Yike's tears flowed like a spring.

《End of Volume Five》

※※※

Old Bai Niu:

Volume Five is complete. Wang Dou has finished his battles, been promoted, expanded his territory, and is about to embark on a new round of development. However, General Wang's fame now fills the realm, and the attention of the outside world is constantly upon him. It seems he can no longer quietly farm in obscurity as before. The late Ming is full of splendid stories, and the grand and magnificent scroll of history has only just begun to unfurl — allow me to narrate it slowly.

This volume's results have been very good. The latest single chapter reached over 5,700 subscriptions within twenty-four hours. I am very grateful for everyone's support. Also: tomorrow I need to organize the outline for the next volume, so I will not be able to update. In these two days, everyone can leave comments in the book review section. Whatever Wang Dou needs to develop, what he lacks, any suggestions you may have — feel free to speak your mind.

Lastly, I'd like to ask friends from Guangxi something: how has the weather been in Nanning lately? Is it cold or hot? How many layers of clothing are needed? v

。