[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-594":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205883,1561,"Chapter 594: Chongzhen Is a Good Emperor (Part 1)","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-594",594,"\u003Cp>Wang Dou watched coldly. Historically, during the Chongzhen reign, factional struggles among officials in the northern and southern parts of the Great Ming were extremely fierce. For instance, Junior Supervisor of Instruction Huang Daozhou once impeached Grand Secretary and Minister of War Yang Sichang; Zhang Ruoqi then impeached Huang Daozhou. The Donglin faction, the eunuch faction, and the censors’ faction fought incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And within each faction, they fought among themselves — it was utter chaos. Perhaps only when dealing with military officers and the nobility did they unite as one. On the surface, Chen Yan was embarrassing Ni Yuanlu, but in truth, was he not helping him escape, letting the court’s proposal to organize and train new armies come to nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, the newly appointed Minister of Revenue sighed: “Jiangnan is already heavily taxed; its various levies rank highest in the entire realm. If we impose additional taxes, I fear it will incite popular uprisings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued: “Moreover, like the north, every part of Jiangnan suffers from unending famine. The people scrape by in misery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave examples: “In spring and summer, Suzhou Prefecture suffered a great drought without rain, and the price of rice reached four taels of silver per shi. In spring, Taicang Department had famine; in summer, Huzhou Prefecture had a great drought, and swarms of locusts blotted out the sun. Wherever they gathered, they devoured all the crops and reeds. The people stripped bark, wood shavings, and chaff to eat, or dug white clay from the mountains for food. They wandered and fled in displacement, the people’s hardships growing ever more severe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, his voice choked with emotion. Speaking of the sufferings of his hometown elders, he grew equally agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongzhen Emperor fell silent. Indeed, every part of Jiangnan suffered either great drought or great floods. The roads were equally filled with the starving dead, the people struggling. The Great Ming was truly exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without prior agreement, none of the cabinet members touched upon taxing the wealthy households and great clans. They did not mention how Yang Sichang’s attempt to shift taxes onto “powerful families,” or Xue Guoguan’s effort to make officials and wealthy merchants donate grain and silver, had both proven unworkable. The ultimate burden would only be passed onto ordinary yeoman farmers, bankrupting more people and creating an even larger wave of refugees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final disastrous consequences would still fall on them to bear, leading to dismissal from office. It was better not to bring it up. Even less did they dare to take real action. Which of these cabinet members did not come from a great landlord or great merchant family? How could there be any principle of giving up their own privileges and paying taxes for the country?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongzhen Emperor helplessly watched the cabinet members wage a war of words. Whether they spoke in unison or attacked each other, they shared one trait: none could produce a crucial, effective solution. He again felt utterly exhausted in mind and spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly promoted counts and marquises present were also disappointed. These scholars bickered back and forth, argued endlessly, yet could not produce any funds or provisions. Did organizing and training the new armies require them to find their own way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou also sighed inwardly. The late Ming was already a dead end. Great officials and merchants, great officers, and the ennobled military elite possessed up to ninety percent of society’s resources. If they were unwilling to contribute, could relying on those commoners reverse the decline? It would only worsen matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, they heard the Chongzhen Emperor sigh: “Regarding cutting expenditures, does Minister Ni have any brilliant strategies?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this point, Ni Yuanlu had also done extensive homework. His ability to earn the Chongzhen Emperor’s regard and expectations came from his own methods. He respectfully said: “In reply to Your Majesty, for cutting expenditures and saving costs, your minister has several proposals: By precedent, all border supply commissioners are sent from the capital. Your minister requests changing this to a major assignment, ordering them to audit military units. Where commanders are incompetent, dispatch replacements. With the same amount of provisions and pay, we can obtain elite troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongzhen Emperor pondered for a long while, then slowly nodded. Ni Yuanlu continued: “By precedent, the court repeatedly dispatches capital officials to supervise local rents and taxes. Your minister believes this harasses the people more than it benefits them and can be abolished, with responsibility assigned solely to provincial governors and regional inspectors, letting them urge collection themselves without troubling court envoys. Since the military campaigns began, beyond the regular levies, there are border subsidies, new subsidies, and training subsidies — many items that crafty clerks easily exploit for corruption. Your minister requests combining them into one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongzhen Emperor nodded again. The others also pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first proposal harmed military men somewhat, because it squeezed their room to claim empty payrolls and feed on soldiers’ blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter proposal, if implemented, would benefit both the military and civilians. However, local powerful clans and corrupt clerks would likely disapprove, deceiving those below and concealing from those above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Ni Yuanlu said: “Your minister requests discussing the policy of military-agricultural colonies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Wang Dou and smiled slightly: “This, too, is inspiration your minister obtained from the Marquis of Yongning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone looked puzzled and the Chongzhen Emperor’s expression shifted slightly, he slowly stated: “Your minister memorializes on eight matters of opening colonies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, military colonies. Currently, soldiers buy official colony land, and civilians occupy military land, passed down through generations — no need to investigate. Simply levy and collect based on the registers, converting commuted payments into in-kind grain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second, civilian colonies. For all barren and idle arable land, issue notices recruiting soldiers, civilians, merchants, and traders willing to invest in reclamation, granting them deeds as permanent property.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third, soldier colonies. When there is conflict, use troops for war; when there is none, use troops for farming, still maintaining seven-tenths guarding the city and three-tenths cultivating colonies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fourth, merchant colonies, granting official ranks based on the amount of land reclaimed. Fifth, water colonies, recruiting southerners skilled in water management, assessing the original terrain, so that barren land and neglected water resources yield benefit, with taxation beginning after three years. Sixth, land colonies, selecting barren land, planting mulberry and jujube trees as convenient, with no taxation ever levied.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventh, opening colonies for convicts and dismissed officials. Eighth, establishing officials — specially dispatching a grand minister to oversee colony affairs, appointing colony officials to manage separately, lenient in administrative review, allowing time, and granting them discretionary authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongzhen Emperor approved his proposals. Wang Dou thought carefully: if Ni Yuanlu’s policies were widely implemented, they would indeed greatly benefit the country. However, making them effective would be difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Minister of Revenue Ni Yuanlu speak at length, with the Chongzhen Emperor nodding from time to time, his dragon countenance greatly pleased, Chen Xinjia could not help feeling envious. He said: “Regarding increasing revenue and cutting expenditures, your minister also recalls a strategy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having heard Ni Yuanlu’s several proposals, the Chongzhen Emperor’s mood had improved considerably. He smiled: “We know Minister Chen understands military affairs, but did not know he is also versed in financial matters? Quickly tell us, let us hear it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the obliging laughter of the crowd, Chen Xinjia’s spirits lifted. He hurriedly said: “Your humble minister obeys the imperial decree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With fervent passion, he declared: “Your minister observes that the key to suppressing the bandits today lies in sufficient wealth and pacifying the people!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued: “In your minister’s humble opinion, whenever provincial governors and commanders march to war, they must be granted authority over profits. Your minister believes that all matters of colonies, coinage, salt, and commercial taxes can be left entirely to their discretion. As the saying goes, with full funds and full pay, morale naturally rises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the former Song dynasty, the families of border generals were all supported by the county officials. Market rents and commercial taxes were all granted to them. Every general had gold to feast his soldiers, and oxen and wine to reward his troops. Throughout the Song era, famous generals were as numerous as clouds — precisely for this reason. The method of controlling generals is to make it hard for them to become noble but easy to become wealthy. It is also said that extreme nobility breeds arrogance; extreme wealth must breed courage. This is your humble minister’s proposal, awaiting Your Majesty’s sage decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongzhen Emperor endured his anger and listened to the end. His expression was already unsightly. The current Great Ming was not the former Song; its control over the border governors and commanders had greatly weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would not Chen Xinjia’s proposal lead to the regional warlord-ization of the frontier garrisons? The so-called “market rents and commercial taxes all granted to them” was already the de facto reality, but everywhere it was conducted secretly, and the court still held the moral high ground. If made open, how would the court control them in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou was the quintessential example of “market rents and commercial taxes all granted to him.” Did they want yet another Wang Dou to appear in the Great Ming?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet seeing Chen Xinjia’s expectant look, waiting for his praise, the Chongzhen Emperor knew he meant well but was doing harm. With all the newly promoted counts and marquises present, it was inconvenient to lose his temper. The Chongzhen Emperor forced a smile: “Minister Chen’s proposal is indeed an excellent strategy. We will certainly consider it deeply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the nearby great generals of the frontier garrisons, those with higher cultural levels, such as Wu Sangui, understood Chen Xinjia’s words and could not help feeling goodwill toward him. Wang Dou, however, inwardly shook his head. Chen Xinjia’s political acumen was somewhat lacking; he kept saying inappropriate things at inappropriate times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, after prolonged debate, the provisions and pay for organizing and training the new armies were still nowhere to be discussed. Even the funds and supplies needed for the current new armies to march south and suppress the bandits required extensive planning. The Chongzhen Emperor’s mood sank again. The country was in dire peril; any step forward was incomparably difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, after the Battle of Jinzhou, both the Ming and Qing sides needed to rest and recuperate. Border troubles would not flare up again in the short term, which gave the Chongzhen Emperor some slight peace of mind. He hoped to seize this opportunity to quickly exterminate the roving bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward Wang Dou, who had remained silent, a complex expression flickering in his eyes. Forcing another smile, he raised his cup: “All ministers, drink deeply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the surprised gazes of the crowd, he set down his cup and said: “The Marquis of Yongning, follow us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou followed the Chongzhen Emperor, along with some trusted guards and eunuchs, through an exquisite festooned gate, arriving at another pavilion and courtyard. All around was quiet; only a few snowflakes drifted silently down from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the pavilion courtyard, a clear, cold air struck them. They saw a rockery and pond within the courtyard, a broad pavilion built atop several layers of bluestone steps. Beside it, several winter plum trees were in full bloom, and in the pond below, there were clusters of lotus leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the buildings and vegetation all seemed to exude an air of decay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the pavilion corridor, there were only two tables facing each other — one in the host position, one to the side — set with wine, not far apart. Beside the imperial seat stood the senior eunuchs Wang Dehua and Wang Chengen. Behind them were also several junior eunuchs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the junior eunuch Wang Desheng, whom Wang Dou had seen before, also stood respectfully behind Wang Chengen. Seeing Wang Dou arrive with the Chongzhen Emperor, a look of surprise appeared on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a private discussion between sovereign and minister was a first for Wang Dou. He secretly speculated, his gaze sweeping around. He noticed a small chamber not far from the pavilion corridor. In the upper floor of that chamber, several figures were looking this way — he did not know who they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving before the table, the Chongzhen Emperor smiled slightly: “Marquis of Yongning, please take your seat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou first apologized for his offenses: “Your minister deserves death. Without Your Majesty’s permission, I privately went beyond the frontier, and regarding the matter of rumors… your minister is guilty. I beg Your Majesty’s punishment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongzhen Emperor’s expression softened, a warmth rising in his heart. He sighed: “We do not blame you, Minister. We know the affairs of the court. If informed in advance, the battle plans would certainly have leaked, allowing the eastern caitiffs to take precautions. The Battle of Jinzhou might have turned out differently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this Liaodong campaign, the Jingbian Army’s grassland corps had indeed been the final straw that broke the camel’s back. The Chongzhen Emperor’s mention of preventing leaks of battle plans was also giving Wang Dou a graceful way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou bowed again and, guided by a eunuch, took his seat. He sensed several gazes from the opposite chamber fixed upon him but could not very well look up to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongzhen Emperor gazed at Wang Dou. When he first heard Wang Dou’s name, he had been a mere Defense Commander. He never imagined that a few years later, his achievements would grow ever greater, and now he had become a marquis, even holding heavy troops, becoming an existence he could not ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever he went to the battlefield, he would create miracles. No means could stop him from achieving merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, as the sky was darkening, the sovereign and minister spoke. The Chongzhen Emperor first made some casual conversation, speaking in a fatherly tone about his sons and daughters — with both expectation and vexation. Behind him, Wang Chengen and the others all smiled; they rarely saw His Majesty so gentle and amiable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those junior eunuchs in attendance secretly observed Wang Dou with expressions of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou also chatted about some amusing anecdotes about his children. For instance, his daughter Wang Yao loved to climb up and down on him, treating him like a tree. And his eldest son Wang Zheng, from a very young age, would often sneakily touch the maidservants’ bottoms, which infuriated him greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou’s words drew occasional loud laughter from the Chongzhen Emperor, making the atmosphere of the sovereign-minister meeting very relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the pavilion opposite, bursts of tittering laughter could be heard from time to time; judging by the sound, it seemed to be women.\u003C\u002Fp>",2464,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","9ca651e923a1b30c2428f847477bf6de48e35f2cad34aa8bc1e1027effdc5495","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-595","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-593",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]