Chapter 63: Winning Qi Jin's Loyalty

As for his uncle's experiences, as for his own experiences—whether he harbored blame, perhaps Qi Jin's heart held no such thought, but as for grievance, Qi Jin's heart certainly held plenty.

Now he suddenly felt his throat tighten, and for a moment he was rendered speechless.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Qi Jin, knowing he was somewhat stirred, but this was not yet enough.

If you wish to employ a man, you must first win his heart.

His own contact with Qi Jin had not been extensive, yet Qi Jin was willing to go to Liaodong to fight at the age of sixty-seven—for the sake of loyalty to the sovereign and service to the state, not for him, Zhu Youxiao.

In any era, heavy rewards were an extremely, extremely effective means. Zhu Youxiao wanted to win over Qi Jin, so naturally he had to give him heavy rewards.

Of course, one does not accept rewards without merit—this matter could not be given to Qi Jin, but it could be given to his uncle Qi Jiguang!

When it came to posthumous honors for Qi Jiguang, Zhu Youxiao naturally would not be stingy. So before Qi Jin could speak, Zhu Youxiao began bestowing honors upon Qi Jiguang.

"Chen Hong, transmit My imperial edict." Zhu Youxiao spoke these words very loudly, and his tone was also very resolute.

"The late Junior Guardian Qi Jiguang, of loyal and pure purpose, unmatched in valor, a bulwark of the state—his posthumous title is changed from Wuyi to Wuning, and he is posthumously enfeoffed as Marquis of Pacifying the North. In Jizhou, a shrine shall be erected for his sacrifice, with incense offered through the four seasons, unceasing in supply." Zhu Youxiao spoke louder and louder, and the expression on his face seemed to grow more and more impassioned.

Hearing these words, Qi Jin's body shook, and he suddenly raised his head. His eyes were reddened, and his whole body trembled with agitation.

The posthumous title had been changed from Wuyi to Wuning—for one must know that among military officers in the Great Ming, the highest posthumous title was Wuning, and above that was the single character Wu alone.

According to the Collected Statutes of the Ming, the first class paired "Wu" with, in order: Ning, Yi, Min, Hui, Xiang, Shun, Su, Jing; the second class paired "Zhong" with, in order: Wen, Wu, Ding, Lie, Jian, Su, Yi, Jing.

Who else bore the posthumous title Wuning?

It was Xu Da, Prince of Wuning.

Now His Majesty had bestowed the posthumous title Wuning upon his uncle—this was full affirmation of his uncle's life.

"Abundant and bringing peace to the people is called Ning; profound and pure of heart is called Ning; dignified and self-vigilant is called Ning." This was the greatest reward for his uncle, and at the same time the greatest recognition of his uncle and of the Qi family—how could Qi Jin not be stirred?

Moreover, there was also a posthumous enfeoffment of a noble title afterward—Marquis of Pacifying the North—which could hardly be called light!

Thinking of his uncle's experiences, Qi Jin's eyes reddened even more fiercely.

Back then, his uncle had received no noble title even after death. As a first-rank senior official holding the posts of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent and Commissioner-in-Chief of the Left, for a full two years after his death, the court had made no gesture whatsoever.

It was only when Qi Jiguang's eldest son, Qi Zuoguo, went to Beijing to petition for posthumous honors that the Wanli Emperor issued an edict granting burial and sacrificial rites.

Now His Majesty had given the posthumous title Wuning, the posthumous enfeoffment of Marquis of Pacifying the North, and also the treatment of a shrine with official sacrifices—it could be said to be extremely, extremely heavy.

Qi Jin knelt directly to the ground, pressing his head to the floor and saying: "Your Majesty's grace is profound. Your servant, on behalf of his uncle, kowtows in thanks to Your Majesty. Your servant shall surely carry on his uncle's aspirations, and for the Great Ming and for Your Majesty, shall devote himself utterly and die in service."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Qi Jin and also felt a welter of emotions. In any case, he felt that the emperors of the Zhu family owed a debt to Qi Jiguang's family—or rather, owed a debt to many military officers.

Now that he himself had come, naturally he had to give them the treatment they deserved. Unfortunately, Qi Jiguang was already dead—if Qi Jiguang were alive, Zhu Youxiao's rewards would have been even heavier.

Zhu Youxiao was telling everyone: I am different from previous emperors. I value military men and do not begrudge rewards. As long as you are willing to die in My service, then I guarantee you wealth and honor in life and glory after death.

This time Zhu Youxiao did not bid Qi Jin to rise, but instead stepped down from the dragon throne himself, walked straight to Qi Jin's side, reached out to help him up, and looked at him, saying: "The imperial house owes you uncle and nephew much. I am merely making some amends, and I hope it is not too late."

Zhu Youxiao's saying these words might somewhat impair the emperor's dignity, but that depended on whom they were said to. Said to Qi Jin, they were words to win his heart.

This time Qi Jin could no longer hold back. A man in his sixties, tears streamed down in a rush, and his body moved to kneel again.

Zhu Youxiao hurriedly reached out to steady Qi Jin, and then the awkward thing happened—Qi Jin's movement was too vigorous and his strength too great. Zhu Youxiao not only failed to steady Qi Jin, but was instead pulled into a stumble, nearly falling.

Everyone was startled and hurried forward, crying out in alarm: "Your Majesty!"

But it was Qi Jin who reacted fastest—he caught Zhu Youxiao in one motion, then knelt again: "Your Majesty, your servant was indiscreet. Please punish your servant."

Zhu Youxiao once again helped Qi Jin up with a smile, then said: "My dear minister, why say such things? It is My body that is not up to par. Rather, for you to have such strength at such an age shows that Heaven protects the Great Ming and Heaven protects Me. Cao Cao of Wei once said: 'An old steed in the stable still aspires to run a thousand li; a hero in his twilight years still harbors unyielding ambitions.' Today I present these words to you, my dear minister. I hold you in high regard."

"Your Majesty, your servant—!" Qi Jin raised his head, his lips trembling.

Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Enough, enough. I know what you are thinking, my dear minister. Sovereign and minister have many days ahead—let us see how things go."

Having said this, Zhu Youxiao turned and returned to the dragon throne.

"Your Majesty, Liaodong is not pacified and the Jianzhou barbarians run rampant. Your servant requests permission to go to Liaodong to fight the Jianzhou barbarians for Your Majesty." Qi Jin knelt once more.

This time was different from before—as the saying goes, when a lord treats one as a state scholar, one repays him as a state scholar.

Qi Jin now simply wanted to go to Liaodong to prove himself, to prove that he had not failed His Majesty's regard and trust.

"Rise, rise and speak!" Zhu Youxiao said with a smile and a wave of his hand: "I know what you are thinking, my dear minister, but I still do not wish for you to go to Liaodong."

Seeing Qi Jin eagerly about to object, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Hear Me out, my dear minister. The situation in Liaodong has already stabilized. Xiong Tingbi has submitted a routine memorial—the Jianzhou barbarians have already withdrawn, and Shenyang and Liaoyang are both safe for the time being. As for exterminating the Jianzhou barbarians, there will be days ahead for that. Relying on the Liaodong troops alone, I fear, will not accomplish the task—and with barely three thousand men under your command, you would hardly succeed either."

"Since that is so, why not train troops well? As the saying goes, better to retreat and weave a net than to stand by the pond longing for fish. The reason I have summoned you to the capital this time is precisely for troop training."

"In years past, the troops commanded by the late Marquis of Pacifying the North could be said to be invincible in attack and victorious in every battle. But times have changed, and today the Great Ming cannot see such troops anymore. I wish to rectify the military camps and rebuild military prestige—naturally, I need someone to train troops. I plan to train twenty thousand troops at Tongzhou, and this task I entrust to you, my dear minister. From where you select the soldiers, I do not care—you may choose for yourself."

"You may select anyone you wish—I will issue edicts to have people cooperate. How to drill them, I do not understand and will not interfere—but if you are willing, my dear minister, you may tell me about it."

Qi Jin was stunned once again. He had not expected to receive such a task.

Raising his head to meet Zhu Youxiao's expectant gaze, Qi Jin's heart was filled with a welter of emotions.