Chapter 92: No Need to Pacify Liaodong in Five Years

Now that the embryonic steam engine was taking shape and the firelock problem had a solution, Chongzhen did not linger, and returned to the Forbidden City.

Yet when he thought about the request Zhu Huiyan had made, Chongzhen still felt extremely displeased.

What happens when Chongzhen, the exalted Son of Heaven, is displeased? Naturally, all the ennobled nobles and great ministers must be made to share his displeasure.

Thereupon, a palace directive as willful as something out of the Zhengde Emperor's playbook was issued.

The demand in the edict was simple: every ennobled noble and princedom under Heaven, whether the Prince of Mu's estate far off in Yunnan or the Duke of Ying and his ilk near at hand in the capital, including those princedoms preparing to swap fiefs or not, must each send a son of the main line to the capital to form a separate camp, to be personally disciplined by the Emperor.

While the princes and ennobled nobles were racking their brains, time had already meandered slowly on for nearly a month.

Chongzhen looked at the man before him, and a dislike rose in his heart. Even if he was no member of the looks-appreciation society, the man before him truly did not match his aesthetic standards.

Seeing Yuan Chonghuan for the first time, Chongzhen felt he had been deceived by that fellow Jin, especially by the television drama Sword Stained with Royal Blood, which portrayed Yuan Chonghuan as dignified and handsome, awe-inspiring and imposing.

So what was the deal with this dark, scrawny, short squat fellow before him? Judged by later-age standards, at under one meter sixty-five, even in the Great Ming he would count as a third-class cripple.

His forehead bone was rather high, his skin swarthy; his features, while not quite as terrifying as Zhong Kui's, were such that across the entire Great Ming court, finding anyone uglier than the man before him would likely be no easy task — "shaped like a small monkey, and of extremely irascible temper," which meant Yuan Chonghuan looked like a monkey and had a fiery disposition.

But no matter what, Chongzhen still held a sliver of expectation in his heart. After all, a man cannot be judged by his looks.

Since Yuan Chonghuan could, within a mere two years of taking supreme command in Liaodong, first do away with Mao Wenlong and then let the Jianzhou barbarians fight their way to the capital, he must surely be a man of some ability.

It was just that this man could not be allowed to die yet; he still needed to go to the post he was meant for, to be counted as having given his utmost loyalty to the Great Ming.

Yet Wen Tiren and the other grandees who had been summoned by Chongzhen to attend were far from pleased in their hearts. A mere black monkey — was he worth so many people gathering round to gawk at?

Chongzhen, however, was unaware of the thoughts in the hearts of Wen Tiren and the other courtiers.

After Yuan Chonghuan had finished his formal greeting, he asked, "We constantly hear others speak of Yuan, Our beloved minister; even in the memorials sent back by Liaodong spies, there is much talk of the Jianzhou barbarians fearing Yuan, Our beloved minister.

If Yuan, Our beloved minister, were to take supreme command in Liaodong, what ingenious strategy would he have?"

Yuan Chonghuan, unhurried and unflustered, opened his mouth and said, "In reply to Your Majesty, what Your Majesty has just said truly shames your humble minister to the bone.

Your humble minister, having received Your Majesty's high regard, if permitted to take supreme command in Liaodong, shall clarify military discipline, train crack troops, and extensively construct city walls and fortifications; Liaodong can then surely be fully recovered.

All strategies, your minister has already set down in a memorial, for Your Majesty's imperial perusal."

Chongzhen, however, asked with meaningful depth, "As for Mao Wenlong at Dongjiang, what plans does Yuan, Our beloved minister, have?"

Yuan Chonghuan, still with that air of breezy indifference, replied, "In reply to Your Majesty, your minister and Grand General Mao, serving as ministers in the same court, shall naturally join forces with one heart, together serving Your Majesty and the Great Ming.

Grand General Mao, tying down the Jianzhou barbarians at Dongjiang, is truly a pillar that props up the heavens and a bridge-beam that spans the seas for the Liaodong war situation."

Chongzhen heard this, sneered inwardly, but pressed on, "If Our beloved minister were to take supreme command in Liaodong, what would he require? In how many years could it be settled?"

Only at this did that scholar-general bearing on Yuan Chonghuan's face shift slightly. He thought for a moment, then bowed and replied, "In reply to Your Majesty, if Your Majesty grants your minister discretionary authority, then Liaodong can be recovered in five years."

In his heart, Chongzhen sighed at the power of history; even if he had ten thousand "motherfuckers," he did not know whether they were fit to speak or not. Sure enough, this bastard still wanted to pacify Liaodong in five years.

Though displeased in his heart, Chongzhen showed nothing on his face, merely saying flatly, "We are weary, and shall rest a short while. Yuan, Our beloved minister, think it over carefully, and come reply to Us this afternoon."

After Chongzhen had left, the ministers looked at one another in dismay, and could only withdraw from the palace for the time being, to await the next imperial audience that afternoon.

Yet Xu Yuqing, who had vigorously publicized and recommended Yuan Chonghuan, asked him a question: "Yuan Su, do you truly have the confidence to pacify Liaodong in five years?"

Yuan Chonghuan heard this, and gave a bitter smile: "What confidence is there? It was merely to offer some comfort to His Majesty's heart."

Xu Yuqing let out an "Aiyah!", and complained, "Yuan Su, you've been muddle-headed! His present Majesty is brilliant and decisive, his decisiveness in killing and judgment likely no less than that of Taizu or Chengzu.

If after five years you cannot pacify Liaodong, I wonder how you will give account to the Son of Heaven! It's just that I've suffered too, I fear I'll be done in along with you."

Yuan Chonghuan, however, stroked his beard and laughed: "Brother Gongshi, do not worry. The Son of Heaven also does not wish me to pacify Liaodong in five years. Did Brother Gongshi not perceive it?"

Xu Yuqing cursed inwardly, Damn if I believe your nonsense! But outwardly he showed curiosity: "I must ask Brother Yuan Su to enlighten me."

Yuan Chonghuan, as if having a well-thought-out plan, laughed faintly: "Just now when Yuan spoke of reorganizing the army and drilling the troops, His Majesty's face showed approval, but when Yuan said Liaodong could be pacified in five years, His Majesty's expression was displeased.

Coupled with the fact that when the Jianzhou barbarians breached the passes before, His Majesty had previously declared he would personally lead a campaign to Liaodong, how then would he let Yuan pacify Liaodong in five years? Brother Gongshi has truly worried too much."

Xu Yuqing heard this and thought no more of it. The two chatted a while longer, then patiently awaited the afternoon imperial audience.

Come the afternoon, the crowd once more hurried to the Platform to see the Emperor.

Once the ministers had finished their obeisances, Chongzhen opened his mouth and asked, "How has Yuan, Our beloved minister, considered it? Is it still that Liaodong can be recovered in five years?"

Yuan Chonghuan, however, was quick-witted, and promptly prostrated himself: "Your Majesty is brilliant; your minister is guilty. Pacifying Liaodong in five years was truly your minister's reckless boast. Your minister deceived the sovereign first; I beg Your Majesty to punish this crime."

Chongzhen, though, thought, Who says this Yuan Chonghuan is a barbarian fool? Aren't those bullshit history books of later ages all pure nonsense? Doesn't this fellow know how to adapt?

Thinking thus in his heart, Chongzhen said, "Enough. Yuan, Our beloved minister, wished to comfort Us; We know this. How could We blame you for mere words? Enough. Yuan Chonghuan, receive the edict."

Yuan Chonghuan, seeing that the thought he had yearned for day and night was about to be realized at this very moment, hurriedly knelt and said, "Your minister Yuan Chonghuan receives the edict."

Chongzhen said, "Appoint Yuan Chonghuan as Supreme Commander of Liaodong, with authority over all military and civil affairs in Liaodong, Ningyuan, and Jinzhou, all to be decided by Our beloved minister.

We hope that Our beloved minister in Liaodong can serve the royal cause with loyal heart. When Liaodong is pacified, how would We begrudge the reward of a marquisate?

Even Our beloved minister's sons and grandsons shall benefit greatly from his reflected glory."

Yuan Chonghuan heard this, and at once gave thanks: "Your minister Yuan Chonghuan receives the edict and gives thanks. Long live, long live, long live My Emperor." Overcome with wild joy, his voice actually trembled somewhat.

Chongzhen paid it no mind.

After bidding Yuan Chonghuan to rise, Chongzhen continued, "This time when Yuan, Our beloved minister, goes to Liaodong, there is no need to contest short-term gains and losses with the Jianzhou barbarians, nor is there any need to speak of pacifying Liaodong in five years.

The state of the Great Ming's guard-battalion system, We are aware of. To speak of pacifying Liaodong in five years is far too hard on a man. Our beloved minister need only hold Liaodong securely without loss, and that shall be a great deed of merit.

If Our beloved minister can, together with Mao, Our beloved minister, give the Jianzhou barbarians such a headache that they cannot sleep soundly, We shall be most pleased. One day, We shall still personally lead the campaign to Liaodong!"

Work matters have truly been a headache lately, so I can only guarantee one update a day. Once again, apologies to the brothers and sisters supporting The Tyrant. Updates will resume at a faster pace as soon as possible.

(End of chapter)