Chapter 721: Is That Not Disloyalty?

"Speak up — have you all gone mute?"

Watching his ministers remain silent, the oppressive atmosphere making everyone uneasy, the Chongzhen Emperor could not help but bellow. Worrying over state affairs day after day, his face looked even more haggard, his frame so thin it seemed a gust of wind could blow him over.

In truth, ever since Cao and Wang's armies were defeated and the roving bandits threatened Kaifeng, he had not eaten properly. His mind wandered endlessly; food had no savor, sleep brought no peace. He was afraid — afraid of news of defeat. Kaifeng was simply too important, especially with his uncle, a Prince of the Blood, residing within.

Yet what he feared was precisely what came. The Kaifeng military dispatch had been sent early on the thirteenth day of the ninth month. This was a matter Ding Qirui and the others could not conceal even if they wished; battle reports had to be sent out. It was just that it only arrived on the twenty-fourth.

The post stations from Henan to the capital had fallen into decay. Couriers came and went sporadically; they had long been unable to maintain the swift pace of three hundred li in a single day and night without stopping.

Although Ding Qirui vigorously defended himself in the dispatch, shifting the blame for the defeat onto the overwhelming strength of the roving bandits —

after all, since Cao and Wang's new armies had suffered a great defeat, it was somewhat excusable that they followed suit and lost. His main point was also to impeach Zuo Liangyu. However, the Chongzhen Emperor did not hesitate. Citing the defeat at Zhuxianzhen as proof of the Viceroy and Provincial Governor's incompetence, he ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to leave the capital and arrest Ding Qirui and bring him to the capital.

His Majesty's thunderous rage was such that even if there were those in the Grand Secretariat friendly with Ding Qirui, at this critical juncture, no one dared speak for him. Moreover, in the Chongzhen reign, executing civil officials was like slaughtering chickens. If one angered the Emperor, who knew if the blade might fall on one's own head, even as a Grand Secretary? Better to keep one's head down.

Yang Dezheng and Fang Guoan were left with only a few dozen riders. The court had no more scruples about them and likewise ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest them and bring them to the capital.

Yang Wenyue, Hu Dawei, Jiang Mingwu, and others had died in battle. In our dynasty, the dead have always been paramount. No matter how disgraceful in life, once dead, they receive generous posthumous honors — to say nothing of the fact that these men were commendably loyal and brave. Thus, the various lords of the Grand Secretariat resolved to bestow great praise upon the fallen, lest they invite public criticism.

As for Gao Mingheng, Chen Yongfu, and the others in this battle, those who deserved praise would be praised, and those who deserved punishment would be punished. Only Zuo Liangyu was difficult to handle. This required careful deliberation.

Although Zuo Liangyu was the chief culprit in the Zhuxianzhen defeat, his core troops remained intact. With many soldiers and great power, the court still needed his service. More importantly, if the punishment were too severe, what if he rebelled? What if he surrendered to the roving bandits? The Central Plains were already ravaged — did they want Huguang ravaged as well?

Historically, when Zuo Liangyu fled and caused defeat, the court not only dared not punish him but instead "issued five thousand taels from the imperial treasury, one hundred thousand taels from the Ministry of Revenue, along with silver medals and bolts of cloth, to reward Zuo Liangyu's army." Truly a bizarre affair, yet it was the reality of the late Ming: he who has soldiers is a local king. The Liaodong military clique, Zuo Liangyu in the Central Plains, He Yilong in Shaanxi, Zheng Zhilong in the southeast — all were representative of this.

Yet just as the court lords, holding their noses, had decided to richly reward Zuo Liangyu, the newspaper from Xuanfu arrived. Zuo Liangyu had incurred the wrath of both heaven and the people; his stench carried a thousand li on the wind. Given time, it would be nothing unusual for it to spread throughout the entire Great Ming. Under such circumstances, to reward Zuo Liangyu again — one could imagine the uproar of public criticism. The lords did not wish to be condemned by a thousand pointing fingers.

But how should Zuo Liangyu be dealt with? Rewards were no longer possible. Even a light punishment could not quell the people's anger. Yet if the punishment were heavy, and Zuo Liangyu then...

It was truly a dilemma.

The more they thought, the more the sovereign and his ministers resented that Xuanfu newspaper. Setting aside how matters of military and state importance had become commoners' gossip, just look at that newspaper's arrogant posture. Anyone who didn't know better would think the Great Ming court was in Xuanfu. Where was the central authority's dignity?

Especially irritating was the paper's judgmental tone toward Zuo Liangyu. Were they the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review? Did they even have eyes for the central government?

Although the sovereign and his ministers read every issue of the Times without fail, each of them grew increasingly dissatisfied. Yet it was difficult to ban. The power of the newspaper was deeply understood by all in the court, high and low. In the end, after much thought, they concluded: if others possessed such a vital instrument of state, they themselves must have one too. They would take control of public opinion into their own hands.

Not to mention that Jiangnan was brewing plans to start a newspaper, intending to call it the Jiangnan Times. Wu Sangui in Liaodong also planned to launch a Liaodong Times. There was no reason for the central authority to lag behind others.

Moreover, starting their own newspaper had great advantages. They could not imitate the Xuanfu Times' high-spirited tone, but after all, they were the central government, controlling the entire realm. They held the moral high ground, had broader scope, and ample materials. Even the Xuanfu reporters often had to come copy their official gazettes — that was their advantage.

Thus, in these days of discussing state affairs, the Grand Secretariat's proposal to establish the Imperial Ming Times had been solemnly placed upon the Emperor's desk. It would also declare to the world that this place, Beijing, was the center of the Great Ming, the seat of the court's central authority.

Aside from these matters, these days also brought urgent requests for aid from Liaodong, the eastern slaves' invasion of Korea, and vexing questions of how to deal with Cao and Wang, keeping the court in constant dispute.

Most importantly, after the victory report from beyond the northern frontier arrived, how should Wang Dou be rewarded? This was what gave the sovereign and his ministers the greatest headache.

The Chongzhen Emperor wavered back and forth. He had formed a vague judgment of Wang Dou: a capable minister in a prosperous age, a ambitious warlord in a chaotic one. He could no longer give him the chance to grow stronger. That was why, earlier, when the Jingbian Army expanded to fifty thousand and Wang Dou requested an imperial decree to campaign beyond the frontier, he had agreed without hesitation.

In his mind, Wang Dou would surely become deeply mired in a quagmire, spending three to five years beyond the frontier, perhaps even suffering mutual destruction with the northern barbarians. Seizing that opportunity, he himself would exterminate the roving bandits, reorganize internal affairs, and the state would surely prosper. With no place to exercise his ambitions, Wang Dou would surely settle down contentedly as a pure minister of the Great Ming, becoming the Qi Jiguang of the Chongzhen reign.

Then, sovereign and minister in harmony, they would together restore the Great Ming — a fine tale to pass down to later generations.

Only, Wang Dou had won another great victory, his fame swelling yet again. Why couldn't he just settle down for a while and let him have some peace of mind?

When the minister is strong and the sovereign weak, how can that be the proper way between ruler and subject? The Chongzhen Emperor felt a deep sense of powerlessness, merely gazing at the assembled ministers in the hall.

As Minister of War, Chen Xinjia spoke first. After the incident the previous year, Chen Xinjia had deeply reflected and felt he should still stand with Wang Dou. Who in court circles did not now know that he and Wang Dou were of the same faction? No matter what he did, he could not change that impression.

Although the Emperor had grown cold toward him, his position as Minister of War remained secure.

He guessed that in the Emperor's heart, he needed a bridge to communicate with the Marquis of Yongning. No matter how much the court suspected the Marquis, as long as Wang Dou was around, his own position as Minister of War was rock-solid — he just needed to tread carefully.

Besides, yesterday the Xuanfu Garrison Intelligence Division had paid a visit and promised him a considerable sum in silver dollars. It was only right to repay the favor.

A joyful smile on his face, he said loudly: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Yongning's great victory beyond the northern frontier is a glorious event unseen in our dynasty for a hundred years, worthy to stand alongside the heroic feats of Xu Da and Lan Yu! It greatly elevates the spirit of our China and extinguishes the arrogance of the barbarians. The northern horsemen dare not ride south to graze again. The people of the three garrisons of Xuan, Da, and Shanxi shall know peace!"

"Such a great victory must naturally be rewarded! Your humble minister boldly proposes that we follow the old precedents of the Han and Tang dynasties and establish the Anbei Protectorate, encompassing the lands south and north of the Gobi. Let Guihua City be the seat of the Protectorate, and appoint the Marquis of Yongning as the Grand Protector of the Protectorate, to guard our northern frontier for the Great Ming, drive away the barbarian horses, and spare the three garrisons the suffering of separated families!"

He wiped the smile from his face, replacing it with a hint of worry: "Only... beyond the frontier it is bitterly cold. If the Marquis of Yongning is stationed long-term at Guihua City, he will presumably constantly request funds and grain. With the state granaries now depleted, I fear that when the time comes, the Ministry of Revenue will struggle to support it, and the costs will be enormous. Your humble minister also feels this plan..."

He wore a troubled expression. The Chongzhen Emperor, however, felt a stir in his heart. After days of debate, this was the first time he had heard a somewhat reliable suggestion.

He had no real concept of the lands beyond the frontier, always imagining them as a bitter, barren wasteland where not even birds would shit. Otherwise, if the barbarians were prosperous, they wouldn't need to constantly ride south to plunder — it would be the Han armies going north to rob instead. Throughout the dynasties, soldiers had always considered long-term stationing beyond the frontier a hardship.

Chen Xinjia's proposal indeed had merit; it was truly an excellent strategy to divert trouble outward.

If Wang Dou's gaze could be directed outward, it would give him time to set internal affairs in order. The Jingbian Army's forces massing in the Anbei territory, far from the Central Plains, was still better than Wang Dou leading his powerful army back to Xuanfu Garrison. Even if he left some troops to garrison, with fewer soldiers overall, his own pressure would lessen.

And that godforsaken place south of the Gobi — no matter how capable Wang Dou was, to develop it properly would surely take many years. With that time, he could calmly accomplish many things.

The more he thought, the better this plan seemed. He looked at Chen Xinjia and noticed how much grayer his temples had become. A twinge of guilt rose in his heart. It seemed he had indeed been somewhat cold toward his beloved minister Chen lately. He was still loyal to the country and very talented.

Even if he formed cliques with Wang Dou inside and out, who in the Grand Secretariat was not doing the same? Without strong military backing from outside, who could sit securely as a Grand Secretary?

The Chongzhen Emperor was about to speak when a stern voice suddenly said: "This must absolutely not be done!"

Everyone looked over — it was Li Banghua, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Chief Surveillance Bureau. Li Banghua was considered one of the upright officials. Historically, after Li Zicheng captured the capital, he wrote a farewell poem: "A dignified man, with sages as his teachers; the great principles of loyalty and filial piety, he swore to uphold unto death; facing peril and accepting his fate, he had no shame before himself." Then he hanged himself. He was posthumously honored with the titles of Grand Guardian and Minister of Personnel, with the posthumous name Zhongwen, and in the Qing dynasty, the posthumous name Zhongsu.

He rose and knelt, looking directly at the Emperor. His upright, deeply wrinkled face held a resolute expression.

He spoke slowly, his icy voice cold as snow and frost: "Your Majesty, Wang Dou's mind is unfathomable, and he possesses both great talent and bold vision. If the Anbei Protectorate is established, with his methods, in but a few years he will have that place managed as watertight as a bucket. Moreover, the land south of the Gobi is excellent grazing ground. When the time comes, with Wang Dou commanding tens of thousands of iron cavalry, looking down upon the Great Ming, the dynasty will be in peril!"

He suddenly turned to glare at Chen Xinjia, his eyes filled with even more icy coldness: "Chen Xinjia, holding the post of Minister of War, yet colluding with Wang Dou like wolves working together, seeks to ruin the foundation of our Imperial Ming! Your servant requests his execution!"

The Chongzhen Emperor frowned and looked at Chen Xinjia. Chen Xinjia flew into a towering rage. The hall fell silent. The Minister of Justice, Liu Zeshen, and the Minister of Works, Yuan Jingwen, merely lowered their heads to look at their shoes, refusing to join their struggle.

They oversaw relatively peripheral ministries. At this moment, the Minister of Justice had no say, and the Minister of Works was not in the position he held during the Jiajing reign, when Yan Song and his son were in power and the Ministry of Works was flush with funds. They rarely had a voice in the Grand Secretariat. The Minister of Rites, Fu Shuxun, wanted nothing more than to resign; old and frail, he seemed about to fall asleep in his chair.

The Senior Grand Secretary Zhou Yanru, the Minister of Personnel Zheng Sanjun, and the Minister of Revenue Ni Yuanlu all frowned deeply. The current Donglin faction strategy was to maintain good relations with Wang Dou. After all, their interests lay in the south and his in the north, with little conflict between them.

At present, Wang Dou was mostly contending with members of the eunuch faction. For instance, the majority of the Shanxi merchants' supporters were from the eunuch faction, and many had irreconcilable conflicts with Wang Dou.

But what was Li Banghua doing? He was also a member of the Donglin faction — why was he running off to oppose Wang Dou?

The Grand Secretaries of the Eastern Pavilion, Wei Zaode and Chen Yan, also grew interested and listened attentively.

"Those are slanderous words!"

Chen Xinjia roared angrily: "How is Wang Dou's mind unfathomable? The Marquis of Yongning's loyalty is known to all under heaven! Even in this great victory beyond the northern frontier, in his military dispatch he attributed all credit to the court. To repay such loyalty and righteousness with suspicion — will that not chill the hearts of loyal and brave soldiers? To suspect a great general — is that how you, Li Banghua, conduct yourself as a minister?"

"Loyal? When Emperor Taizu of Song served Emperor Shizong of Zhou, was he not loyal then?"

Li Banghua did not retreat an inch. His words crashed like thunderbolts, booming loudly through the hall. Even more shocking and earth-shattering, they stunned Chen Xinjia speechless for a moment. The hall fell utterly silent, with only Li Banghua's icy tone, brimming with murderous intent, echoing:

"Loyalty or treachery lies not in the heart, but in the power! Wang Dou commands tens of thousands of troops, and moreover, each of his soldiers can match ten. He has long possessed the ability to overthrow our Great Ming! Setting aside Wang Dou's unfathomable mind, even if he is loyal to the sovereign, what of his subordinates? They may desire higher riches and honor. When the time comes, can Wang Dou control them? Your Majesty, his faction has long grown too powerful to restrain. To establish the Anbei Protectorate now, making Wang Dou even stronger with crack troops and sturdy horses, would be letting the tiger run free only to find it hard to bind again! We beg Your Majesty to think thrice!"

The Chongzhen Emperor stared at Li Banghua, his face ashen. Li Banghua had cruelly and mercilessly laid bare the fear deepest in his heart, splitting it into two bloody halves and placing them before him. He felt the urge to tear Li Banghua apart alive. (To be continued...)