Chapter 735: Buffer

Seeing the Grand General’s expression, everyone in the hall was somewhat puzzled. Though reluctant, they had to admit that the new reign title chosen by the Manchu Qing was grand and imposing — it could be considered a fine reign title. So how could it be linked to destruction?

But the Grand General’s every move always carried deeper meaning. Could there be some hidden mystery within this Xuantong reign title? As they passed the intelligence report around, many pondered this in their hearts.

Gao Shiyin snorted coldly: “This wretched Xuantong clearly lacks foundation at a glance. Shunzhi sounds far more pleasing to the ear — Dorgon is regressing with age.”

Qi Tianliang echoed his words. Zhong Xiancai smiled faintly, and the others also smiled without speaking.

Ye Xizhi looked at each person. Since entering Wang Dou’s service in the twelfth year of Chongzhen, several years had passed in the blink of an eye. He was now past forty, yet the sharpness in his glance had not changed in the slightest. In particular, as he advanced step by step into the core of the shogunate, the spirited brilliance on his slightly rounded face had grown even more pronounced.

Just now he had no right to interject on military and administrative matters, but at this moment he could certainly speak. Stroking the short beard beneath his chin, he declared loudly: “Not so. Among the Tartar slaves there is no lack of talent, as this reign title alone makes evident. Xuan means ‘great’; Tong means ‘grand unity.’ The slave chieftain is proclaiming that he has fully won the hearts of all the Manchu tribes’ orthodox lineages, reversing the decline after the Liaodong campaign, and that the national power is resurgent! Moreover, he has taken Goryeo in the east, is spying on the Eastern Seas, and glares covetously at Shandong. This is a great foe to our Central Kingdom. The Grand General must not fail to perceive this, still less treat it lightly!”

Wang Dou nodded. Coming from a later age, he understood the significance of Xuantong, but at this moment the men of the Great Ming could not comprehend it. That his subordinates could proceed from the actual circumstances and correctly recognize the threat of the Qing state — he felt gratified in his heart. After all, this was the greatest threat the barbarians of this world posed to civilized people.

And this intelligence had been gathered by the intelligence department from the Tianjin area. After Dorgon ordered the reign title changed, he dispatched large numbers of spies to cross the Liaodong sea and spread the news throughout Tianjin and the capital region. The imperial court’s Embroidered Uniform Guard was dealing with these spies, but evidently with little success.

In a very short time, news of the Qing state’s change of reign title had already spread noisily throughout the capital region.

Wang Dou briefly discussed it with everyone. For now, Dorgon was looking east, which was a good thing for the Protectorate. At this moment the Great Ming lacked time, and Wang Dou lacked time even more. In the near term, he would devote all his energy to developing the lands south of the desert, and would only have the intelligence department monitor matters more closely.

There was one more piece of news: the Imperial Commissioner, Left Censor-in-Chief of the Chief Surveillance Bureau, and Vice Protector of the Anbei Protectorate, Li Banghua, was about to arrive.

Looking at this news, Wang Dou’s face bore a faint, ambiguous smile: “I never expected that all the loyal ministers and righteous men of the Great Ming would gather here at my side.”

When the Ming fell, the Provincial Governor of Xuanfu, Zhu Zhifeng, the Provincial Governor of Shanxi, Cai Maode, and the Provincial Governor of Datong, Wei Jingyuan, all resisted Li Zicheng’s great army to the death without yielding. Yet among the Regional Commanders of the three garrisons, apart from Zhou Yuji, the rest were all spineless characters who vied to surrender their cities.

And even the eunuchs, who by principle should be the imperial house’s loyal household slaves, could not be relied upon. Du Xun went several dozen li out into the countryside to kneel and welcome Li Zicheng into the city.

Historically, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Chief Surveillance Bureau, Li Banghua, likewise died a martyr for his country. Now all these people were running over to his side. Wang Dou did not know whether to be pleased or vexed.

“Oh, a loyal minister, is he?”

Gao Shiyin grinned savagely and clenched his fist, saying fiercely: “Originally, Old Gao planned to give that fellow Li Banghua a bit of a show once he arrived. But since he’s a loyal minister, forget it.”

“That Li Banghua is a loyal minister — is that a good thing for the Grand General? Is it a good thing for the Protectorate?”

Han Chao sneered: “The news from the court is now common knowledge throughout the world. The Grand General has done this much for the court, yet is met with such suspicion from sovereign and ministers alike — does that not chill the heart?”

He said sternly: “Has the Grand General not done enough? Has our Jingbian Army not done enough? What exactly do they want?”

This great general of the Jingbian Army was extremely angry. He slammed his palm heavily on the table and shouted: “Especially this Li Banghua — what did he say in the Eastern Warm Pavilion? ‘When Emperor Taizu of Song served Emperor Shizong of Zhou, was that disloyalty?’ With this thorn lodged in their hearts, how is the Grand General to face His Majesty in the future? And how would he dare to face His Majesty?”

He had followed Wang Dou for many years and knew better than anyone what the Grand General had done, yet he suffered this baseless grievance for nothing. How could Han Chao not be furious?

Zhong Xiancai sat steadily and also smiled contemptuously: “That fellow Li Banghua even proposed stripping the Grand General of his military authority. What is he trying to do? Hand our Jingbian Army over to that pack of incompetents? If they had that ability, the Great Ming realm would not have come to this pass!”

Outside, the cold wind howled mournfully. Gusts of snowy wind swirled and danced from time to time, rushing in through the entrance. Inside the hall it was utterly silent, save for the soft tapping of Wang Dou’s fingers on the table.

His face was expressionless. The news from the Eastern Warm Pavilion — even the dialogue between sovereign and ministers — Wang Dou knew it all with perfect clarity. What Li Banghua had said was not wrong. Loyalty or treachery truly lay in capability, not in intent — just like the “China threat theory” of later ages.

Whether you pose a threat does not depend on how friendly mutual relations are, but on whether you possess that capability. After all, backed by strength, a change in attitude is only a matter of time. But he was simply too blunt, too heedless of timing and occasion, and in the end it would lead to irreparable consequences and repercussions. Some words ought not to be spoken.

After a long silence, Wen Fangliang said quietly: “When merit reaches heroic heights, it becomes a crime. I once read this line in a history: ‘If the sovereign suspects the minister, he executes him; if the minister suspects the sovereign, he rebels. If the sovereign suspects the minister and does not execute him, the minister will surely rebel; if the minister suspects the sovereign and does not rebel, he will surely be executed.’ The fault lies in the Grand General being too outstanding, and our Jingbian Army being too strong.”

Qi Tianliang agreed: “Indeed. Never mind such great military and state affairs — even in a rural place, if a country gentleman does good deeds, and does too many of them, people will pin the great hat of ‘currying favor with the people’ on him. How much more so in this situation? A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be broken by the wind. Ah…”

This Vice Minister of the Military and Administrative Department shook his head repeatedly.

Gao Shiyin looked at one person, then another, and muttered: “It seems loyal ministers can ruin things too.”

“Of course they can ruin things!”

Ye Xizhi sneered. He declared loudly: “Men of the ‘pure stream’ faction set their hearts solely on the great cause. With blades at their necks and axes before them, they are utterly fearless. They do not fear death — they even seek death single-mindedly! It is just that for the sake of the great cause in their hearts, they often disregard the overall situation. Those who serve as ministers, those who serve as officials, must at times know when to advance and when to retreat. Yet they only know how to advance, and do not know how to retreat. Thus they often bring about tragic outcomes — especially in this time of national peril, when appropriate retreat is needed.”

Gao Shiyin said: “Mm. A step back opens up boundless horizons; a moment’s forbearance brings calm to wind and wave. That is the way of officialdom…”

He looked at Wang Dou: “Grand General, how should we handle this Li Banghua? Shall I, your general…”

Wang Dou saw the murderous glint flashing in his eyes and merely shook his head. Zhong Xiancai glanced at Gao Shiyin and said softly: “Old Gao, whatever you are planning to do, do not make things difficult for the Grand General, and still less tarnish the Grand General’s reputation… This matter is not for you to decide. Do you understand?”

Gao Shiyin was taken aback. He rubbed his own head and chuckled foolishly: “Indeed. Look at this wooden fish head of mine.”

Looking at each person, Wang Dou said slowly: “I, Wang Dou, have come to this point, and at every step I feel shame in my heart. Our shogunate also has a goal — it is for the people of this land. No matter what the court does, our goal will not change.”

He pondered briefly. Relatively speaking, loyal ministers were indeed more of a headache. On the contrary, someone like Du Xun made things easier for Wang Dou. But having reached his current position, a mere Li Banghua was of no great consequence. He said: “After all, he is a great Confucian scholar of his generation and a high official of the court. The courtesies due to him, the dignity due to him, must not be shortchanged.”

His expression grew distant for a moment. It could not be denied that people like Li Banghua had all sorts of flaws, but it was precisely because the Great Ming had such people…

He finally smiled and said: “Besides, anyone who can rise to the post of Left Censor-in-Chief is no ordinary person. His lifetime of ability must not go to waste. We’ll see what kind of work we can find for him when the time comes — just like Du Xun. Isn’t he doing a fine job now?”

The generals in the hall all burst into loud laughter, and a wave of heroic spirit arose. Indeed, Du Xun was now performing splendidly as the head of the Urban Management Brigade, taking plenty of blame on behalf of the shogunate.

Everyone suddenly felt a sense of anticipation, wondering what kind of job the Grand General would arrange for this Left Censor-in-Chief of the Chief Surveillance Bureau and Vice Protector of the Anbei Protectorate when the time came.

…

Matters concerning Dorgon, Li Banghua, and the like were only minor interludes. Even the court’s perfunctory commendation of Wang Pu made everyone shake their heads, feeling that the court was now like a wronged little daughter-in-law — such clumsy stratagems of sowing discord had no effect and served only to disgust.

After chatting for a few lines, no one in the hall brought it up again. Earlier, when Wen Daxing had entered the great hall, the generals were in the midst of discussing matters concerning the defense zones and settlement zones south of the desert.

After returning from the campaign, Wang Dou had also conducted a ceremony of conferring honors and promotions upon the generals of the Jingbian Army. Han Chao, Wen Fangliang, Gao Shiyin, Zhong Xiancai, and Li Guangheng — these five — had all been gloriously promoted to General. In addition, a large number of others had been promoted.

In response to feedback from within the army, Wang Dou and the generals had also made minor adjustments to the Jingbian Army’s military rank system, making it more compatible with the current circumstances of the Great Ming.

Based on military post grades, the army established three tiers: Cavalry Commandant, Commandant, and General.

The honor grades for soldiers remained unchanged at three levels: Corporal, Sergeant, and Staff Sergeant.

Platoon officers and Squad Commanders were Cavalry Commandants. Within this: Vice Platoon Officers were Military Cavalry Commandants; Platoon Officers were Cloud Cavalry Commandants; Vice Squad Commanders were Flying Cavalry Commandants; Squad Commanders were Valiant Cavalry Commandants.

Company Commanders and above were Commandants. Within this: Company Commanders were appointed Cavalry Commandants; Mobile Corps Commanders were appointed Senior Cavalry Commandants; Assistant Regional Commanders were appointed Light Chariot Commandants; Vice Regional Commanders were appointed Senior Light Chariot Commandants.

This largely matched the honor grades of the Great Ming at that time, and the Ming military honor grades were in turn modeled after those of the Great Tang.

After Han Chao, Wen Fangliang, Gao Shiyin, Zhong Xiancai, and Li Guangheng were appointed as Generals, their military posts were all filled as Regional Commanders, and they could be granted various laudatory titles and honorifics.

Among them, Han Chao was granted the title of Biaoqi General; Wen Fangliang was granted Yingyang General; Gao Shiyin was granted Baotao General; Zhong Xiancai was granted Huben General; Li Guangheng, who at this time led the Central Army cavalry battalion and was garrisoned within Guihua City, was likewise granted Hulie General.

Among the five generals of the Jingbian Army, Han Chao’s Biaoqi General was the most honored and esteemed, for in this expedition beyond the frontier, his achievements were the greatest. The matter of the Jingbian Army’s honors and promotions was only published in the military gazette and was not disclosed to the outside world.

To better conform to the customary forms of address among Great Ming military men at the time, henceforth within the Jingbian Army, those below Regional Commander would be addressed only by their military post, such as Vice Regional Commander Zhao or Assistant Regional Commander Zhong.

Those holding the rank of Regional Commander with the title of General could be addressed in abbreviated or honorific form by their military title, such as General Han, General Wen, or Biaoqi General, Yingyang General, and so forth — which also better reflected the preciousness of the general’s rank and title.

Through intelligence from Chen Xinjia’s side, Wang Dou had long known that the Emperor had approved his request to establish the Anbei Protectorate. He could thus carry out his arrangements more deliberately.

In Wang Dou’s planning, Han Chao would be stationed at Xuanfu Garrison — his core and vital territory.

Although he would often remain in Xuanfu Garrison, and the Grand General’s headquarters here would not move, he would certainly travel from time to time to various places south of the desert. He therefore needed a trusted general to be stationed locally, and Han Chao was an excellent choice.

As for the entire Monan region, Wang Dou planned to divide the Andu Protectorate into three garrisons: Monan West Garrison, Monan Central Garrison, and Monan East Garrison. His initial plan was to station Gao Shiyin at Monan East Garrison, with his field headquarters located below Mount Wolong, at the former site of the Kaiping Guard.

This garrison would form a mutually supporting angle with Xuanfu Garrison, shielding Xuanfu Garrison's northern and eastern flanks, and even extending the northern defense line all the way into the desert.

Monan West Garrison would encompass the entire Hetao Plain to the west, stretching to the edge of the gravel desert, and to the east roughly reaching the area of later-era Baotou, making it a key agricultural colony.

Monan Central Garrison would be similar, containing the fertile Tumote Plain within, with its defense line crossing directly over Great Qing Mountain and extending northward to the edge of the desert. Zhong Xiancai would be stationed there, and Wang Dou's Protectorate field headquarters would also be located within Guihua City, so he could personally command the central army battalions in oversight.

The focus of everyone's discussion was not only on defending the north, but also whether they needed to defend against the south.

Wen Fangliang strongly insisted that for the safety of the Andu Protectorate, they not only had to guard against the various Mobei tribes, but also needed to leave sufficient security buffer zones adjacent to Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia, to prevent the key future agricultural colonies of the Hetao Plain and the Tumote Plain from suddenly suffering the ravages of war, which would affect the grand grain-production plan.

"Our forces can build cities in Monan Central Garrison at the former sites of Dongsheng Guard and Zhenlu Guard, and from there sail down the Yellow River, bringing troops to the borders of Shanxi and Shaanxi entirely at will!"

"We likewise need to build cities in Hetao to communicate with Ningxia Garrison, and it would be best to support a few men, just like Wang Pu in Datong Garrison, to serve as protective wings for the Protectorate..."

Wen Fangliang's clear voice echoed slowly through the hall. (To be continued...)