Chapter 285: Heavenly Timing

"Our Great Qing possesses an invincible army unmatched under heaven, drawing submission from all directions. Last year, we further obtained the Jade Seal of the Yuan Dynasty, while the Southern Dynasty is consumed by nationwide turmoil. This is the Heavenly Will pointing to its rightful recipient. Our Emperor, following the will of Heaven, founded the state and accepted the honored title. Yet yesterday, during the Sacrifice to Heaven and Earth, the Joseon envoys were insolent and refused to kneel. Your slave humbly requests that the Emperor seize this momentum — once the ceremony of offering the honored title is complete, immediately raise troops to chastise Joseon."

In Shenyang, Liaodong, the Chongzheng Hall — with its uniquely square pillars — was the core structure of the imperial palace. The palace was built during the Tiancong era. After Huang Taiji inherited the Khan's throne, he did not move into the former Khan's palace used by Nurhaci. Instead, he expanded the Fourth Beile's residence, which by the tenth year of Tiancong had reached considerable scale.

This great hall was where he ordinarily handled state affairs, but today the vast hall held only three men. A tall figure in a dragon robe sat high upon the dragon throne — none other than the newly enthroned Emperor of the Great Qing, Huang Taiji. The dragon robe had been worn for the first time only yesterday.

The man to the right below the throne had just finished speaking. Not daring to raise his head to look at Huang Taiji, he stole a sidelong glance at the burly man beside him before lowering his head.

Huang Taiji on the throne gave a low "Mm," but did not immediately express his stance. His gaze fell upon the jade seal on the imperial desk, as if pondering something. The two men in the hall dared not disturb him. For a moment, the vast hall was utterly silent, and outside, not even a whisper could be heard — as if the entire palace were empty.

Huang Taiji rubbed the deer-horn thumb-ring on his hand. This deer-horn thumb-ring had accompanied him through many years of campaigning. Though he no longer needed to take the field himself and had long possessed finer jade thumb-rings, he still often wore this one on his thumb.

In the first year of Tiancong, when he first ascended the throne, the Later Jin was internally plagued by economic collapse and soaring prices, while externally beset by enemies on all sides — a strategic situation of extreme distress. Yet ten years later, the Later Jin had internally reformed the Eight Banners military system, established an administrative framework based on the Six Ministries, and achieved overall social stability. Externally, it had subjugated the various tribes of the Southern Mongolian Desert. Not only had it seized Ligdan Khan's jade seal, it had even captured several of his wives. The Mongolian front had become a secure flank, forming an encircling posture against the Ming State's northern border. To the east, the once-formidable Ming Army's Dongjiang Garrison was barely clinging to life. Joseon had become the Later Jin's Brotherly Alliance partner. The overall strategic situation against the Ming Dynasty had been completely reversed.

The ambitious and visionary Huang Taiji was no longer content to rule a mere corner of the realm. The day before, he had accepted the honored title "Broadly Gentle, Humane, and Sagely Emperor," established the dynastic name Great Qing, and changed the reign title to the first year of Chongde — adopting a posture of equal standing with the Ming Dynasty.

The Jianzhou Tribe, which had fought its way out of the great mountains of Liaodong, now stood at a new turning point. Though the situation had vastly improved, compared to the colossal Ming State beside it, the newly founded Great Qing had no margin for error. Every step required his careful planning.

After a moment, Huang Taiji slightly raised his eyes. "What does Fan Zhangjing think?"

The other man who had been addressed immediately moved to kneel and speak, but Huang Taiji waved a hand. "Fan Zhangjing, in ordinary audiences, continue as before. Do not let my assumption of the honored title create distance between us."

"Your slave receives the decree." The man slowly raised his head. He was around forty years of age — none other than Huang Taiji's most trusted Han Official, Fan Wencheng.

He was originally from Fushun. His great-grandfather, Fan Zong, had once risen to the rank of Minister of War. When the Later Jin captured Fushun, because he was descended from an official family, Nurhaci took him in. However, his status did not enter the Later Jin's upper echelons. After Huang Taiji ascended the throne, he entered the Study to handle affairs. During the first Mouth campaign, he earned merit defending Zunhua. Later, at the Beating the Bell River, he persuaded roughly two hundred Ming troops at Xishan to surrender. Huang Taiji bestowed those two hundred men upon him, and from then on, he entered the ranks of substantial slave-owners.

From the time of Huang Taiji's ascension to the present, through successive campaigns and internal power struggles within the Later Jin, Fan Wencheng had actively offered plans and strategies, displaying talent surpassing that of others. He had already gained Huang Taiji's heavy reliance. With Ning Wanwo having just been demoted, he was faintly emerging as the foremost among the Han Officials.

Fan Wencheng was tall and bore a calm expression. In a steady tone, he replied, "Your slave believes that our Great Qing was founded by force of arms. At the Emperor's founding of the state and acceptance of the honored title, during the most solemn ceremony of the Sacrifice to Heaven and Earth, among all those present, only the Joseon envoys refused to kneel. This is a provocation. If we do not chastise them with a campaign, the majesty of our Great Qing will cease to exist."

Huang Taiji nodded slightly. Bao Chengxian, catching this from the corner of his eye, lowered his head a little further.

Fan Wencheng paused briefly. Seeing Huang Taiji's approval, he continued, "Beyond yesterday's open defiance, our Great Qing's entanglements with Joseon are long-standing. Since the first year of Tiancong, when the Emperor first chastised Joseon and forced it to sign the Brotherly Alliance, for ten years it has called itself Father-and-Son States with the Southern Dynasty, harbored Escapees from Liaodong, obstructed the Border Markets at Yizhou and Hoeryong, and delayed the delivery of Tribute Goods. Joseon remains a neighbor only in outward appearance."

"Your servant seconds Fan Zhangjing." Bao Chengxian bowed. "On the matter of Border Markets alone, the originally agreed-upon market at Yizhou, held once every two years, was delayed and evaded by Joseon. It was not until the sixth year that two markets were opened. The market at Hoeryong was never permitted to open. The plow oxen, cotton cloth, silk, and ironware our dynasty requires have no source for purchase."

Hearing this, Huang Taiji said, "What Grand Secretary Bao speaks of is also a matter of deep resentment to me."

Bao Chengxian's heart eased. He had finally obtained Huang Taiji's affirmation. Though the degree was not high, under the current circumstances, it was enough to satisfy him.

His mood relaxed, he continued, "Previously, to offer condolences for the Joseon queen, the Emperor specially dispatched Ying'erdai and Ma Futa to Joseon, also to discuss the matter of the honored title. Yet Li Zong not only refused to receive them, he would not even accept the Emperor's personal letter. He had the State Discussion Council send troops to monitor our delegation. Ying'erdai and the others were forced to seize horses and flee the State Discussion Council — a true loss of face for our Great Qing. Later, on the road, they intercepted a letter from the Joseon king, which revealed his intent to seal the border and sever all contact with our state. Looking at the various incidents over the years, Joseon's Father-and-Son States with the Southern Dynasty is genuine; its Brotherly Alliance with us is false."

After Bao Chengxian finished, Fan Wencheng spoke slowly, "What is especially hateful is that Joseon officials allow the Dongjiang Island Pirates to gather and clamor at places like Tieshan. Though the Dongjiang Island Pirates are in decline, they are stiff but not dead, entrenched right beside our sleeping couch. The Emperor's ambition lies with all under heaven. How can such a grand enterprise tolerate being constrained by the Dongjiang Island Pirates? And these island pirates and Joseon rely upon each other. Chastising Joseon is an imperative move. But your slave believes there is no urgency for the moment."

Huang Taiji's voice came from above. "The two Grand Secretaries have detailed the reasons why it is imperative. Fan Zhangjing, explain why there is no urgency."

"What Joseon relies upon is not the Dongjiang Garrison, but the Southern Dynasty, the Ming State. This is the distinction between root and branch. Even if Joseon seals its border, its state lacks the strength to cross the River Barrier and poses no fundamental harm to our Liaodong. The Great Qing's primary enemy remains the Southern Dynasty. Though Later Jin troops have entered the Border Wall several times, those were not Great Qing troops. Your slave believes that at this moment of founding the state, proclaiming the Great Qing's military might to the Southern Dynasty is the foremost matter."

Huang Taiji slowly rose and stepped down from the dais. Fan Wencheng and the other man immediately cleared the central space. Huang Taiji paced slowly in the hall. "What do the two Grand Secretaries think? If we are to deploy troops to display might against the Southern Dynasty this time, should we attack Shanhai Pass, the Capital, Xuan-Da, or the Eight Cities Beyond the Pass?"

Bao Chengxian's eyes shifted for a moment. From Huang Taiji's words, he had already endorsed Fan Wencheng's opinion — that Joseon was merely a branch, and the root remained the Ming State.

Seeing that Fan Wencheng showed no intention of speaking first, Bao Chengxian bowed to Huang Taiji and said, "Our Great Qing was founded by force of arms. Since the Emperor established the Eight Banners military system, dividing them into Mounted Armor, Foot-Armour, Guard Troops, Vanguard, and Heavy Troops, supplemented by Outer-Vassal Mongol Light Cavalry, we are sufficient to sweep across the world. What the Ming State uses to resist us is nothing more than isolated cities and great cannons. In truth, Heaven's will has blessed our Emperor. Subsequently, Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Injury Kexi came over to us one after another, bringing with them countless Western Cannons and large ships, and moreover, several hundred cannon-making craftsmen. The strong cities and great cannons the Ming State relied upon have already vanished. Now that Chahar has submitted, and Joseon and the Dongjiang lack the strength to restrain us, your slave believes our advance should directly take Elm Pass. The main army would follow the Ningyuan highway straight beyond the pass. Injury Kexi's, Kong Youde's, and other units' ships and boats, carrying cannons, would depart from Lüshun and arrive at the pass by sea. Once Elm Pass falls, the Eight Cities Beyond the Pass will submit on their own. The Southern Dynasty's Capital will lose all its outer defenses. At that point, whether to fight or negotiate will be up to us, not the Ming. We might even press directly to the Capital. Without Elm Pass blocking the way, the Capital will already be an object in the Emperor's pouch."

Huang Taiji turned to look at Fan Wencheng, awaiting his answer. Bao Chengxian unconsciously took a small step backward, for he knew that in Huang Taiji's mind, his own standing was far inferior to Fan Wencheng's.

Bao Chengxian, as a surrendered official, had been able to enter the Literary Office thanks to Ning Wanwo's recommendation. Before this year, Ning Wanwo had still been the foremost among the Han Officials. Most of the personnel in the Study and the Literary Office had been recommended by him, making his faction the strongest within the Han civil official system. But precisely because he recommended too many people, the quality was inevitably uneven. Fan Wencheng submitted an impeachment memorial against him, forcing Ning Wanwo to submit a memorial admitting his faults, gradually losing Huang Taiji's trust.

Furthermore, Ning Wanwo himself was greedy for wealth and fond of gambling. This year, he was reported by the servant of a man named Liu Shiying. Huang Taiji's punishment far exceeded Bao Chengxian's expectations. Ning Wanwo not only lost all his official posts, but his estates, fields, and slaves were all confiscated as well. He was practically reduced to a commoner.

The timing of this report was rather delicate — right at the critical moment of proclaiming the emperor and accepting the honored title, coinciding with the reform of the Literary Office.

Bao Chengxian was not clear on what role Fan Wencheng had played in this matter. However, he was very clear that Ning Wanwo had fallen from favor. Gambling was prohibited in the Later Jin state, but military aristocrats and officials who gambled were not few. If Huang Taiji had wanted to keep using Ning Wanwo, even if someone had reported him, there would only have been a minor punishment. To so directly demote Ning Wanwo to a commoner clearly indicated the intent for Fan Wencheng to preside over the Inner Secretariat.

In Nurhaci's era, there was no such thing as a Han Official. However, a Brush-and-Paper Office was established for literate men to handle affairs — that is, the Study. At that time, people like Fan Wencheng merely played the role of clerks, without even the title of Brush-and-Paper Clerk. After Huang Taiji ascended the throne, he renamed the Study the Brush-and-Paper Yamen. Later, in the fifth year of Tiancong, it was changed to the Literary Office, becoming a formal administrative institution. It was then that Fan Wencheng and others obtained official Status.

With this founding of the state and proclamation of the emperor, all parties hoped to gain benefits for themselves in this major reform. Han Officials like Ning Wanwo and Fan Wencheng saw the political trends of the Later Jin very clearly. Over ten years, Huang Taiji had been continuously strengthening monarchical power, using administrative authority to suppress banner authority. And the Han Officials were essential for strengthening administrative authority. Thus, leveraging this founding of the state, the Han Officials vigorously pushed for the Literary Office to be reformed into the Inner Three Academies. With the support of Jurchen literati, they finally succeeded.

The Literary Office was divided into the Inner National History Academy, the Inner Secretariat, and the Inner Academy for the Advancement of Literature. The most important of these was the Inner Secretariat, which was essentially Huang Taiji's directly subordinate working office. Ning Wanwo had originally been the strongest contender for Grand Secretary of the Inner Secretariat and had been the most enthusiastic in urging Huang Taiji to accept the honored title. But at the final juncture, a single report demoted him to a commoner. Fan Wencheng and Bao Chengxian became the Grand Secretaries of the Inner Secretariat.

The remaining Six Ministries and two academies were all presided over by Beile. Only the Inner Secretariat was an institution dominated by Han people. This was the first time since the founding of the Later Jin.

Bao Chengxian's status was inferior to Fan Wencheng's, but most of the people in the Inner Secretariat had been recommended by Ning Wanwo — forming exactly a system of Mutual Checks Between Major and Minor with Fan Wencheng. This was clearly a similar tactic to how Huang Taiji dealt with the Eight Banners nobility: using the Great Khan's Authority to create contradictions between and within the banners so they could not challenge his imperial power. But Bao Chengxian remained extremely cautious, never clashing directly with Fan Wencheng. Often, when their opinions diverged, he would defer to Fan Wencheng's view.

Fan Wencheng was tall and deliberately hunched his body somewhat, so that the Emperor would not have to look up at him. "Your slave's humble opinion: though our Great Qing wins battle after battle, we have not yet reached the point of replacing the Southern Dynasty. The Ming State broadly possesses the realm, with subjects and people numbering in the hundreds of millions. To us at present, it is nothing less than a colossal entity. Our state has been at war for over twenty years now, and only just managed to carve out a piece of territory in Liaodong. Whenever our great army enters the border, the cities of the Southern Dynasty regard our state as uncivilized barbarians beyond the pale, and all resist stubbornly to the last. The Ming State has thousands and hundreds of cities. Even with the Red Coat Cannon, are we to batter them down one by one? If we rashly attack and seize the Capital, the Ming State still has its Auxiliary Capital at Nanjing. We might well end up doing the work for someone else."

Huang Taiji looked seriously at the towering Fan Wencheng. "Fan Zhangjing's meaning is that whether we fight or negotiate, it is better to keep the Ming State's Capital intact."

"Only with the Capital in the north is it within the reach of our army's edge. The great army can reach the Capital but must not take the Capital. Otherwise, it benefits neither war nor peace."

"'Benefits neither war nor peace.'" Huang Taiji nodded slightly. "Fan Zhangjing need not avoid speaking of our state's actual circumstances. Though we have replenished our population with captives, in truth, the population of Liaodong is merely equivalent to roughly one Prefecture of the Ming State. Over the years, Liaodong has suffered frequent droughts and famines, and the casualties from campaigning have piled up. The people's hearts are all disinclined toward war. To replace the Ming State — it is still too early to speak of it. At this time, whether we fight or negotiate, both serve the purpose of trading goods with the Central Plains."

Fan Wencheng suddenly knelt respectfully and said, "The Emperor exerts himself to govern diligently, and our Great Qing prospers day by day. In contrast, the Ming State sees Roving Thieves swarming and rampaging through the northern provinces, already teetering on the brink. What your slave just said only pertains to the present moment. The Southern Dynasty has over two hundred years of history; its orthodox tradition and the people's hearts still remain. It can only be slowly plotted against, not hastily seized, or the result will be counterproductive. However, all its battle-worthy troops are concentrated in the Nine Borders. The Roving Thieves are ravaging the northern regions, and the Nine Borders' troops are on the verge of being exhausted. The Auxiliary Capital, Jiangnan, and other places have wealthy but weak populations that have not seen major warfare for many years — insufficient to resist the Emperor's mighty army. Our Great Qing need only conserve strength and build up energy, wearing down the Ming State's elite troops, and await the Heavenly Timing."

Huang Taiji slowly paced to the hall's main door. Outside, it was still utterly silent, with only the occasional faint sound of wind rustling the banners drifting in.

"Ning Wanwo, Zhang Cunren, Jiang Letter, and others — for years, their memorials have all advocated smashing through Elm Pass and directly seizing the Capital." Huang Taiji clasped his hands behind his back, facing the closed palace gate. "Taking Yanjing is like felling a great tree: one must first chop from both sides, and then the great tree will topple on its own. But does taking Yanjing mean taking the realm? Why have I, for ten years, been victorious in every battle, yet repeatedly initiated peace negotiations? In the past, the Han, the Mongols, and Joseon pressed in on us from all four sides. Only now has there been some slight improvement. But the Ming State's foundation still exists. When a small state attacks a great one, the greatest taboo is seeking quick success and instant profit. Fan Zhangjing is seasoned and plans for the state. That single phrase 'await the Heavenly Timing' deeply accords with my heart."

At that moment, outside the hall, a powerful, resonant Big Drum was struck, followed by the ensemble playing of suona horns.

Fan Wencheng stepped forward. "Emperor, the hour for the Ancestral Sacrifice has arrived."

Hearing this, Huang Taiji nodded. The previous day had been the offering of the honored title and the Sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. Today's ceremony, still part of the rites following the founding of the state and the assumption of the honored title, was the Ancestral Sacrifice. Before going to the sacrifice, he had used this brief interval to discuss the Joseon matter with these two Han Officials. Once again, it was Fan Wencheng who had demonstrated superior ability.

Seeing this, Fan Wencheng and Bao Chengxian immediately withdrew, exiting the hall through a side door.

The doors of Chongzheng Hall slowly swung inward. Outside the hall, within the Great Qing Gate, the military formations stood in strict, silent order. The four-colored banners of the Eight Banners fluttered and danced in the wind. Two hundred and seventy Imperial Guards of Honor waited in attendance on both sides.

Huang Taiji placed his hands at his sides, his gaze fixed on the powerful army arrayed before him, sweeping across all directions. This was his reliance for dominating Liaodong, and even more so, his reliance for contending for the realm in the future.

The suona music ceased. Outside the great hall, the military formations knelt in unison and shouted, "Long live the Emperor, for ten thousand years, for ten thousand times ten thousand years."

Amidst the powerful shouts, under the gaze of the multitude, Huang Taiji steadily lifted his foot and strode out of the hall.