Chapter 834: The National Campaign

Everyone in the hall turned to look at him. After a moment of silence, Duoduo let out a snort of laughter, then burst into roaring guffaws, finally seeming to laugh so hard he could barely catch his breath. He pointed at Fan Wencheng and said, "Scholar Fan truly knows how to jest. What virtue or ability do those roving bandits possess that they could threaten the life or death of our Great Qing? Or is it that you southern barbarians only know how to boast and spout alarmist nonsense?"

Many of the Manchu and Mongol high officials in the hall all laughed together. Dorgon had inherited Huang Taiji's policies and treated Han ministers with courtesy, often seeking their opinions on many battle plans and strategies. The Manchu and Mongol banner lords and gūsa ejens had long been discontented but dared not voice it openly; now was the perfect moment to vent.

Many of the Eight Banners Korean and Eight Banners Japanese gūsa ejens laughed as well. After submitting to the Qing state, they naturally had to stand on the side of their greatest masters. And who were the greatest masters? Naturally, the Manchu banner lords of the Eight Banners. Especially Prince Heshuo Deyu, Duoduo, whose power and influence within the Qing state were immense — if they did not side with him, whom else would they side with?

The gūsa ejens of the Eight Banners Han Army in the hall, such as Geng Zhongming, Shang Kexi, Ma Guangyuan, and others, laughed along too, though their expressions were somewhat awkward.

Dorgon, seated high upon the dragon throne, furrowed his brow slightly. He also felt that Fan Wencheng was being somewhat alarmist, but his expression remained unchanged as he continued to sit quietly.

The hall was filled with sounds of mockery, yet Fan Wencheng's face remained impassive. For these Han ministers, humiliation at the hands of Manchu and Mongol officials was something they had long grown accustomed to. In Fan Wencheng's case in particular, Prince Yu Duoduo, relying on his status as the Emperor Dorgon's own younger brother, had been so brazenly lecherous as to openly seize his beautiful wife.

Yet his slavish nature remained unchanged; he consoled himself with the thought of "the greater good." Mere verbal humiliation like this was hardly worth mentioning.

He waited until everyone had laughed their fill before speaking in a measured tone: "Prince Yu's words are quite correct. Though the roving bandits are numerous, they cannot be mentioned in the same breath as our Great Qing's elite troops. However, there is a saying: what suits one moment may not suit another. If the roving bandits capture the Ming capital, they will swiftly follow that momentum to unify the realm. At that time, what our Great Qing will face will be a newly risen, powerful, and unified Central Plains dynasty!"

The laughter in the hall came to an abrupt halt. A cautious look appeared in Dorgon's eyes. Duoduo opened his mouth but could no longer laugh. No matter how arrogant and unrestrained he was, he understood what a newly risen, unified Central Plains dynasty would mean for their Qing state.

As expected, Fan Wencheng continued: "Throughout history, whenever a dynasty established itself in the Central Plains, the very first thing it did was to launch military campaigns beyond the frontier. Qin, Han, Tang, Ming — none were exceptions. Even the weak Song state undertook northern expeditions toward Yan and Yun. And when the Shun state acquires the entire population, resources, wealth, and goods of the Great Ming, what then if they cast covetous eyes upon our Liaodong?"

The atmosphere within Chongzheng Hall grew heavy. When their Later Jin first rose, they too had faced crises at every step, and it was not until Huang Taiji's time that things began to change. But their claim of being "invincible when ten thousand strong" was, in truth, only against a decaying and decrepit Ming Empire.

That state was riven by incessant factional strife, plagued by unending natural disasters, swarming with refugees, its civil officials greedy for money and its military officers afraid of death — only then did they have the opportunity to breach the passes and plunder. If only those troops had shown a little dedication and loyalty — for instance, when facing Wang Dou's army — they had been utterly routed.

But a newly risen, unified Central Plains dynasty might be free of all these maladies. If they then turned their gaze toward Liaodong...

The Great Qing state might once again find itself in a predicament of extreme hardship.

Jirgalang suddenly stepped forward and said to Dorgon, "Your Majesty, your slave agrees with Scholar Fan's opinion. Our Great Qing state indeed faces a threat to its very survival."

Abatai stepped forward, his face full of grave caution, and said, "Your slave seconds the motion."

Dudu, the lord of the Manchu Bordered Red Banner, stepped forward and declared loudly, "Your slave also seconds the motion."

Daišan, the acting lord of the Manchu Plain Red Banner, tottered out from the ranks and said, "This old slave seconds the motion as well."

One after another, the Manchu and Mongol high officials stepped forward to endorse Fan Wencheng's opinion. Even Baiyintu, the former lord of the Bordered Yellow Banner, stepped forward in support. Duoduo also closed his mouth and ceased his opposition.

Though they had internal conflicts, when faced with an external threat — especially one that threatened their very survival — they immediately set aside their disputes and banded together. This was the advantage of a newly rising state power, unlike some decrepit states where, even with the enemy at the city walls, they would still fight each other to the death.

In an instant, the situation in the hall had transformed dramatically, leaving those Eight Banners Koreans and Eight Banners Japanese staring in stunned disbelief. Today they had truly witnessed what it meant to turn one's hand into clouds and rain with a flip of the palm. Indeed, these Han people were not to be underestimated, especially this Scholar Fan, who had truly carved out a path to survival from a desperate situation.

They hurriedly echoed the sentiment, their mouths saying, "Your humble servants second the motion."

Within the Qing state, the appellation "slave" could only be used by Manchus and Mongols. Historically, the struggle to become slaves had sparked continuous conflicts within the Manchu Qing state that lasted for centuries.

Dorgon straightened his posture, his gaze fixed on Fan Wencheng as he said solemnly, "How should our Great Qing respond? Scholar Fan, please elaborate in detail."

Fan Wencheng said respectfully, "Yes!"

He organized his words: "Your humble servant has three strategies. The first is to partition the realm together with the Shun state, or even to defeat the roving bandits and seize the Ming state's lands and population alone. However, this strategy is fraught with difficulty. When those roving bandits first arose, they fought the weak and fled from the strong. But now times have changed. Setting aside whether their military strength is formidable and their momentum fierce, and whether our Great Qing troops can defeat them, there is still Wang Dou in Xuanfu and Shanxi. That man harbors the ambitions of a wolf; how could he sit idly by and watch our Great Qing and the Shun state invade and plunder? In a three-way struggle then, who will win is impossible to know."

Everyone in the hall fell into deep thought.

Fan Wencheng continued: "The second strategy is the plan of the fisherman who profits when the snipe and the clam fight. Our Great Qing troops would march into the passes. If we encounter the roving bandits, we should speak kindly and soothe them, and strictly warn our soldiers not to mistakenly kill even one or two of their men, lest we incur their enmity. We can sit back and watch them attack the Ming court and raid Xuanfu, and when both sides are wounded and exhausted, we seize the moment to act and destroy both villains in one blow!"

He added fiercely, "If the roving bandits and Wang Dou clash, and that villain Wang gains the upper hand while the bandits' situation turns dire, our Great Qing could even ally with the roving bandits to jointly oppose Wang Dou. This villain Wang is our Great Qing's foremost formidable enemy, ranking above the roving bandits. If he gains power, he will never let our Great Qing state off."

Dorgon nodded slightly, but felt this strategy seemed somewhat too idealistic. Those roving bandits thought very highly of themselves; the envoys he had sent could not even get a meeting with Li Chuang. Whether an alliance was possible remained an unknown.

Of course, the idea within Fan Wencheng's words — the fisherman profiting when the snipe and clam fight — greatly appealed to him. It would be best if Wang Dou and Li Zicheng fought each other to the death, and in the end, he himself reaped the great advantage.

Fan Wencheng said: "Therefore, after our army enters the passes, if we encounter Ming forces, we shall tell them we have come to drive out the bandits for them, to lower their will to resist. Furthermore, we shall proclaim a royal decree: no slaughtering of the people, no burning of homes, no looting of property. We shall issue proclamations to all prefectures and counties: those who open their gates and surrender shall have their officials promoted, and soldiers and civilians shall suffer not the slightest harm. Those who resist and refuse to submit — on the day the city falls, all officials shall be executed, but the common people shall still be granted safety. Those who take the lead in collaborating from within shall receive exceptional rewards and titles. This is a matter of vital importance!"

Dorgon nodded again. Although their Qing state was fond of killing, he knew well when to kill and when not to. Now was the moment to contend for the realm; they had to put on a flawless show of propriety. This could also win the support of Ming state officials and commoners.

Yet he reflected that this plan would be just as difficult to execute. Setting aside other matters, just consider the journey after departing from the Qing state: crossing over a thousand li through Liaoxi — Yizhou, Jinzhou, Ningyuan, Shanhai Pass — all along the way were fierce Ming generals like Wang Tingchen, Cao Bianjiao, Wu Sangui, Liu Zhaoji, and Yang Guozhu. Even marching into the passes would be no easy task.

Finally, Fan Wencheng said: "Your servant's third strategy is to seize Liaoxi and provide critical support to the roving bandits!"

He said: "The Guan-Ning defense line has always been the obstacle to our Great Qing's entry into the passes. It was here that the late Taizong Emperor died with his ambitions unfulfilled. It is rumored that the Ming capital's walls are high and thick, such that even hundreds of thousands of roving bandits attacking could hold out for half a year or more. Though your servant believes this to be an exaggeration, it is beyond doubt that it could be defended for three months. To destroy the Ming state, we cannot allow the Liaoxi reinforcements to aid the Ming capital. Therefore, our entire army shall mobilize and press right up to the passes, pinning down Yang Guozhu, Wu Sangui, and the others. We need only hold them for three months. Once the roving bandits have destroyed the Ming state, Wu Sangui and the others will become generals of a fallen nation. At that time, if our Great Qing speaks gentle words of comfort, they may very well submit to our state."

"Our Great Qing would also seize Liaoxi, and even occupy the territory of Shanhai Pass!"

Dorgon abruptly slapped the armrest of the dragon throne. The ministers in the hall also began whispering and discussing animatedly among themselves, all feeling that this strategy was highly feasible.

Historically, the Ming's downfall was intimately tied to fighting on two fronts. Whether by design or by chance, the Manchu Qing and the roving bandits always coordinated with tacit understanding. Just when the bandits were on the verge of annihilation, the Qing would enter the passes, and then the bandits would gain a respite, slowly growing and expanding.

When the Qing troops withdrew and the court sought to focus its energy on the northeastern front, the roving bandits would concentrate their efforts on causing havoc, preventing the Great Ming from turning its full attention northward, while also bleeding it continuously, causing its national strength to wane further.

At times, both sides even collaborated to stir up trouble together, just as in history from the fifteenth to the sixteenth year of Chongzhen, when the roving bandits and the northern barbarians, one in the south and one in the north, both made merry havoc.

Thus, Fan Wencheng proposed: while the roving bandits attacked fiercely, if their own side could pin down Yang Guozhu, Wu Sangui, and the others, then without the aid of Yang Guozhu and his ilk, relying solely on those capital battalions, no matter how sturdy the capital was, it could hold for three months at most.

Amid the excited discussions of the crowd, Fan Wencheng added: "Even if Wu Sangui and Yang Guozhu were to completely abandon the pass defenses and return to aid the Ming capital, that would be even more advantageous for our Great Qing! We could then proceed at our leisure, occupying the cities of Liaoxi one by one — Yizhou, Jinzhou, Ningyuan, even Shanhai Pass. And we would seize several strong cities within the pass to serve as bases for future advances, following the old precedents of the Great Liao and the Great Jin!"

However, he shook his head and said: "Yet your humble servant believes the Ming state will not abandon the pass defenses. No one there can bear the crime of ceding such territory, so the Ming capital is doomed to fall. Our Great Qing would then seize the opportunity to march into the passes, proclaiming: 'We come to avenge your sovereign and father,' thereby winning over large numbers of Ming state generals and former officials, while also watching for the chance to implement the first and second strategies your servant has described!"

The hall fell into focused silence; all the assembled ministers were listening intently as the spirited Fan Wencheng expounded his strategies and battle plans. Dorgon nodded continuously, his eyes filled with deep admiration.

Duoduo curled his lip, but he had to admit that Fan Wencheng was truly a pillar-like minister of the Great Qing state, and that the Great Qing truly could not do without these Han ministers.

Ning Wanwo, also a Grand Secretary, glanced at the spirited Fan Wencheng, a flash of jealousy in his eyes. He mused, "I only fear that Scholar Fan has overlooked one person — and that is Wang Dou, far off in Monan. The garrison commander of Xuanfu, Han Chao, is also his trusted general. Whether the Ming capital holds for half a year or three months, such a length of time is more than enough for the Ming sovereign and ministers to make a decision. This humble officer believes that at this moment of life-and-death crisis, no matter how much the Ming state distrusts Wang Dou, it is not impossible that they would summon him to relieve the throne and enter the defense. At that point, with the Ming capital secure and Yang Guozhu and the others stubbornly defending the pass fortifications, our Great Qing state would have drawn water with a bamboo basket — all for naught!"

Dorgon and the others were startled. This possibility did exist.

Fan Wencheng smiled, fully confident. He said, "Scholar Ning need not worry on this account. Wang Dou has forcibly compelled the gentry, officials, and military officers throughout Xuanfu to pay grain and taxes, stripping them of their various privileges and preferential treatment. Resentful voices have long been everywhere. To these gentry and officials, they would rather perish at the hands of the roving bandits than fall into Wang Dou's hands. Moreover, with his troops and horses so fierce, the Ming sovereign and ministers grow more suspicious of him by the day, wishing only to avoid him at all costs. Otherwise, if Wang Dou had taken the field, the roving bandits would have been pacified long ago. How could they have been allowed to cause such calamity and even threaten the capital?"

Ning Wanwo was left speechless. A trace of resentment flickered in his eyes as he forced a dry laugh and said, "This humble officer was merely voicing a concern. How the strategy is decided must still await His Majesty's sacred and sole judgment."

Fan Wencheng straightened his official robes and hat. He turned toward Dorgon on the dragon throne, knelt heavily, and kowtowed, saying, "Your servant's heart is utterly devoted, solely for the Great Qing. All of your servant's various strategies — I beseech Your Majesty to render your sacred and sole judgment!"

Dorgon hesitated, unable to decide. He asked, "If we are to enter the passes, how many troops would be required?"

Fan Wencheng said solemnly, "This is a national campaign. We must commit the entire nation's forces!"

Everyone in the hall drew a sharp, cold breath, especially those Japanese and Koreans, who had never witnessed such a grand spectacle in their own countries. They felt goosebumps rising all over their skin.

Unanimously, they turned toward the dragon throne, each holding their breath in silence, watching to see how the Xuantong Emperor Dorgon upon the dragon throne would decide!