Chapter 509: Wang Dou as Ji Town Regional Commander?

Old White Ox: Recently my internet had some problems. 678, the remote computer wasn't responding. I had to go online to post after writing, which was extremely inconvenient. ()

……

Afterward, the Chongzhen Emperor picked up Hong Chengchou's memorial impeaching Ji Town Front Battalion Assistant Regional Commander Ma Fuming, Ji Town Left and Right Assistant Regional Commanders Chen Guitu and Mou Suntian, Mobile Corps Commanders Pan Jixi and Ye Qibang, and others, along with memorials impeaching Shanhai Pass Regional Commander Ma Ke and Miyun Regional Commander Tang Tong.

"...In this battle, Ma Fuming, Chen Guitu, and Mou Suntian were arrogant, insolent, and cowardly in the face of the enemy, to the point of losing the commanding general. Now that the day is lost, who will bear the blame for such a grave matter? Your servant requests severe punishment for each of these generals, so as to warn the future, that judgments may be clear and men's hearts awed and solemn. ...The garrison commanders Ma Ke and Tang Tong, relying on nothing but hot-blooded courage, were arrogant and self-willed, losing over a thousand soldiers. Yet these two generals are fierce and willing to fight. I beg that Ma Ke and Tang Tong be allowed to atone for their crimes by resisting the barbarians, redeeming themselves through meritorious service. Should they again act recklessly and bring disaster, they shall by no means be lightly forgiven..."

As he picked up the memorial, a cold gleam flashed in the Chongzhen Emperor's eyes. The Ji Town troops had collapsed in a single battle, all because Ma Fuming, Chen Guitu, and the others were cowardly and incompetent in managing their troops, ultimately dragging down Bai Guangen, who died in battle — a garrison's commanding general slain in combat.

After the great battle ended, the three high officials Hong Chengchou, Wang Chengen, and Zhang Ruoqi all impeached the various Ji Town generals. Not one of the frontline regional commanders pleaded for mercy on their behalf, which showed just how bitterly hated these Ji Town officers and generals were.

Judging from the memorials, Ji Town's main garrison battalion did fight to the death; it was only that all the other battalions collapsed, leaving no way to turn the tide. Regional Commander Bai Guangen died fighting in bloody combat.

Although the collapse of the Ji Town troops was partly Bai Guangen's responsibility, the fact that he died on the spot in battle settles everything. The dead are paramount; anyone who criticizes or assigns blame would appear mean-spirited.

Ma Fuming also died, but he was killed by the Jingbian Army while fleeing in disorder and charging through formations, so naturally he cannot be mentioned in the same breath as Bai Guangen.

Ma Fuming was considered a clan relative of Ma Ke. In ordinary times, Ma Ke would have long since pleaded for Ma Fuming. But times had changed — Ma Ke could barely protect himself. Moreover, the collapse of the Ji Town troops had provoked public outrage; even a garrison's regional commander had been dragged down to his death, giving every regional commander at Songshan a sense of shared sorrow at a comrade's fate.

Nowadays, the soldiers and officers of the Great Ming are unruly and insubordinate, mutinying at the slightest provocation, threatening their superiors at every turn. Dealing with those Ji Town officers also carried the intent of executing one to warn a hundred.

With Wang Dou present and the formidable Jingbian Army at hand, the troops of the various garrisons dared not act rashly. If not now, when else to take disciplinary action?

The Chongzhen Emperor shared this view. Since ascending the throne, he had executed many civil officials, but had rarely dared to move against military officers, partly out of fear of provoking soldier mutinies. So he, too, resolved to take this opportunity to properly deal with a batch of men.

He declared: "Hong Chengchou's impeachment memorial — We approve. We entrust the affairs of the realm to the viceroys and provincial governors. All matters of war and defense strategy, all policies for managing the barbarians, and all disposition of officers and generals shall be handled at their discretion as expedient. Let the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrest all civil and military officers who failed in their duties and escort them to the capital. Though Ma Fuming is dead, strip him of his official rank and title; let the Ministry of War determine his crimes. () As for the two officers Ma Ke and Tang Tong, each shall be demoted in rank; by decree, suspend their salaries and appoint them as officers on probation. Let them take this as a warning: do not treat the public affairs of the state with contempt toward your sovereign, failing to report; those who hold office without performing their duties shall find their crimes unpardonable."

The duty eunuch's brush flew like a dragon and serpent, drafting the Chongzhen Emperor's edict.

Inside the cabinet hall, Chen Xinjia and the others all wore grave expressions. Quite a number of Ji Town officers and generals were being dealt with this time — nearly all the Ji Town assistant regional commanders and mobile corps commanders who had accompanied the army were swept clean at once.

Among these men, there were surely some who had, year after year, offered tribute to Chen Xinjia, Zhang Sizhi, and the others. But for those in high positions, discarding a few worthless pawns is the norm. At this critical moment, with His Majesty enraged, Chen Xinjia and the others naturally moved at once to sever all ties with these disgraced officials.

……

Furthermore, with Bai Guangen dead in battle, the Ji Town post stood vacant. Who should become Ji Town Regional Commander was also a problem.

Regional commanders generally required court recommendation, but court deliberations were tangled and could not be resolved overnight. The front line was urgent; over ten thousand Ji Town soldiers and officers had no one to command them. If this dragged on, chaos would inevitably erupt. Thus, the Ji Town Regional Commander position had to be settled quickly.

In ordinary times, the various cabinet ministers would have broken their heads fighting over the vacancy for a garrison regional commander. Officers and soldiers in each garrison who considered themselves qualified would surely have begun maneuvering the moment word arrived.

But now was different from ordinary times. Once appointed Ji Town Regional Commander, one would have to go to the Jinzhou front line and fight bloody battles. The Ji Town post instantly became a hot potato that everyone scrambled to avoid.

War is perilous and battle is dangerous, especially with hundreds of thousands of Tatar barbarians massed near Jinzhou — the danger was extreme. Had they not seen Bai Guangen die on the spot in battle? At a time like this, choosing an officer close to oneself was not a blessing but a calamity.

The person selected would certainly not feel grateful to them; on the contrary, he would harbor resentment.

As everyone hesitated in deliberation, Zhang Sizhi's eyes flickered, and he suddenly said: "Your servant requests that the Loyal and Brave Count be appointed Ji Town Regional Commander!"

As everyone looked at him in surprise, Zhang Sizhi said: "At present, Xuanfu Garrison has two great generals — the Loyal and Brave Count Wang Dou, and the General Who Guards the North, Yang Guozhu. Both are pillars of the state; housing them in the same garrison is truly a waste. Ji Town is the foremost of the Nine Frontier Garrisons: to the left it controls the mighty pass of Shanhai, to the west it grips the strategic fortress of Juyong. It is in truth the northern shield of the capital region and should be garrisoned by a great general who dares to fight. Since the Chongzhen reign began, the eastern slaves and northern barbarians have breached the passes several times, mostly starting from Ji Town. Wang Dou's valor surpasses the three armies, and the fighting strength of his Jingbian Army goes without saying. With him in Ji Town, it would be as in the days of Marshal Qi — the northern capital region would be as solid as a golden moat!"

As soon as Zhang Sizhi finished, Chen Xinjia immediately said: "Your servant objects!"

Li Rixuan and Li Daiwen remained silent, only casting a hint of cold laughter in their eyes toward Zhang Sizhi.

The Chongzhen Emperor also furrowed his brow, thinking: "Minister Zhang has grown muddled!"

Who among the cabinet ministers did not understand Zhang Sizhi's intent? He had perhaps discerned the Chongzhen Emperor's thoughts — the unease over Wang Dou's long residence in Xuanfu Garrison. After all, Xuanfu was a stone's throw from the capital region, and the greater Wang Dou's power grew, the deeper his roots spread, especially in the Eastern Circuit of Xuan Garrison. So Zhang sought a pretext to transfer Wang Dou away.

Perhaps even to keep transferring Wang Dou from garrison to garrison thereafter. In this way, without a territorial base, Wang Dou would pose no threat of becoming a military satrap or feudal warlord.

And without a territorial base, he would have no source of funds and grain to support his troops, making him easier for the cabinet ministers to control. Such a battle-daring great general, such a battle-daring army, would thereafter have no choice but to cling tightly to the imperial court — just as Qi Jiguang did in his day — serving the state, with civil and military officials in harmony, sovereign and subject in accord, a story passed down to later generations as a fine tale.

But such an approach might have worked in the Wanli era, in the Tianqi era, even in the early Chongzhen years — but not now.

After all, how could the military officers of today compare to those of yesteryear? The court could issue orders to Wang Dou under this pretext — nominally just and proper, an open and aboveboard stratagem — but what if Wang Dou refused to obey? Not only would the court be helpless, but how terribly awkward it would be. Where would its authority be then?

Moreover, once such an edict — or even just a court civil directive — was issued, anyone with clear eyes would see that the court had grown suspicious of the Loyal and Brave Count. The thin veil of warmth between the two sides would be utterly and nakedly torn apart. The consequences would be extremely difficult to predict.

One must realize that Wang Dou had in his hands twenty to thirty thousand formidable Jingbian Army soldiers. After the series of campaigns in recent years, everyone could estimate that army's combat strength. Apart from Yang Guozhu and the other new armies, ten thousand Jingbian troops — one could not say they were worth a hundred thousand Great Ming soldiers, but fifty thousand was a certainty.

With an army so formidable, if they ever grew disaffected — or even rose in rebellion — and they were so close to the capital region... the mere thought made one shudder. The eastern slaves and northern barbarians were not nearly so terrifying.

As for the Chongzhen Emperor, did he not harbor such thoughts himself? Did he not see clearly that Wang Dou's foundation lay in the Eastern Circuit of Xuanfu Garrison? Without the Eastern Circuit, both he and his army would be like duckweed without roots. But times had changed, and he had to consider the series of consequences such an action would bring.

Compared to Zuo Liangyu and the like, Wang Dou's attitude toward the court and the emperor was already extremely deferential and obedient. Tell him to fight the eastern slaves, and he fought the eastern slaves; tell him to fight the roving bandits, and he fought the roving bandits. He could be called a model among strong armies, a paragon among civil and military officials. Therefore, the emperor had always prioritized placation and conciliation, striving for mutual peace between sovereign and subject, to forestall any possible disloyal thoughts Wang Dou might harbor.

Zhang Sizhi's proposal was not only ill-timed but could even bring about consequences difficult to foresee. Hence, the Chongzhen Emperor's gaze toward him was extremely displeased. The Great Ming was beset by internal troubles and external threats — was there not enough chaos already? The Chongzhen Emperor increasingly felt that Zhang Sizhi, as Senior Grand Secretary, was unqualified, utterly lacking in grand strategic vision.

And to be frank, even if Wang Dou obediently followed orders and led the Jingbian Army to Ji Town, the Chongzhen Emperor would not be at ease.

At least from Xuanfu Garrison to the capital, there were still the barriers of Juyong Pass and Badaling. But from Ji Town to the capital, it was a thousand li of open plain, without the slightest obstruction. If Wang Dou ever had any ideas, coming from Ji Town, taking the capital would be as easy as pulling something out of a bag.

At first, Zhang Sizhi had secretly rejoiced, thinking he might have catered to the emperor's wishes, feeling smug about his strategic calculation. But the moment he saw the Chongzhen Emperor's expression, his heart lurched: "Could I have guessed wrong?"

Then he saw Chen Xinjia's cold sneer, and Li Rixuan and Li Daiwen's expressionless faces, not uttering a word. His face went even paler, and he cursed inwardly: What a Li Rixuan, what a Li Daiwen! Just two days ago, they had reached a tacit understanding with him on this issue, and in the blink of an eye, they stabbed him in the back. Truly hypocritical scoundrels — how hateful.

At the same time, a sense of disheartenment suddenly welled up in his heart. Before becoming Senior Grand Secretary, everyone had sung his praises; after taking this high seat, open blades and hidden arrows came at him endlessly. Even the elders of his hometown cursed him as "born of a spinster." However much he clung to power and position, the thought of resigning in acknowledgment of his failings now stirred within him.

The Chongzhen Emperor withdrew his gaze from Zhang Sizhi and said coolly: "The post of Ji Town Regional Commander shall be discussed after the Jinzhou campaign. We now observe that the General Who Guards the North, Xuan Garrison Regional Commander Yang Guozhu, is seasoned and experienced, handles affairs with a sincere heart. Let the Ji Town troops be placed under Yang Guozhu's acting command. After the campaign concludes, a final decision shall be made."

Chen Xinjia, Li Rixuan, and Li Daiwen said in unison: "His Majesty is sagaciously wise."

At the same time, a thought stirred in each of them: "The Ji Town troops are to be placed under Yang Guozhu's acting command? His Majesty's meaning is..."

Zhang Sizhi also spoke words of praise, but his mind was unsettled, so he was unavoidably a beat slow, which made him even more fearful.

The Chongzhen Emperor sighed inwardly: "Minister Zhang, after all, is advanced in years."

……

With the Ji Town matter concluded, the question of how to reward the frontline officers and soldiers for their merits was a problem — especially since Wang Dou had rendered such great service in this battle. By his achievements, he could already be enfeoffed as a marquis, or promoted to Grand General. In particular, the campaign had only just begun, and Wang Dou had already achieved such great merit; what would be said when the campaign was over?

But to be honest, even though Chen Xinjia had now formed an alliance with Wang Dou, if Wang Dou were to be promoted to Grand General, he would certainly oppose it resolutely.

The position of Grand General in the Ming dynasty carried immense weight. One could mobilize great armies without the consent of the Ministry of War and the Five Chief Military Commissions, command hundreds of thousands of troops, and wield authority to execute third-rank appointed officials. Cabinet ministers had to kneel before a Grand General — he was, in effect, a de facto Grand Regional Commander.

During the Jingnan Campaign, when Li Jinglong was invested with the seal of Grand General Who Subdues the Barbarians to pacify Yan, Emperor Jianwen personally pushed his chariot — showing how illustrious the position of Grand General was.

Enfeoff Wang Dou as Grand General, so that he himself would have to kowtow upon seeing him? Or allow Wang Dou to transfer troops and deploy generals without his consent in the future? Chen Xinjia would rather die than agree.

For the cabinet ministers, granting Wang Dou a noble title was still manageable — after all, it was merely an honorary rank. But the great campaign had only just begun. If Wang Dou were enfeoffed as a marquis and then went on to kill a few more princes and nobles of the Qing state, would he then have to be enfeoffed as a duke or even a prince?

So how to formulate the rewards for merit — not only gave the cabinet ministers a headache, but the Chongzhen Emperor a headache as well.