Chapter 529: A Discourse on War

In an exquisite residence within the Capital's inner city, Xue Guoguan sat in his study, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, listening to the Advisor before him speak.

"Wu Changshi's words were polite enough — he wishes to become your disciple, Master, and treat you with the deference due a teacher. However, in this humble one's view, the man is utterly shameless; it would be better not to accept him."

Xue Guoguan made no sound, and the Advisor continued, "When he came previously to lobby on behalf of the Anqing Battalion regarding the Strike General Merit for Yoto, his words were full of hints. He said Pang Yu was originally Liu Yuliang's man, single-mindedly set on giving the Capture Flag Merit to Liu Guangzuo, and that it was only after his strenuous persuasion that Pang Yu changed his mind. It sounded as if he was standing on your side, Master, but what he was actually saying was that if the Strike General Merit was not given to the Anqing Battalion, then the Capture Flag Merit would have to be divided out to Liu Guangzuo. Though he used Pang Yu's name, this humble one believes it was all what he himself wanted to say."

Xue Guoguan said with his eyes still closed, "That Wu Changshi is shameless is not something we learned only today. But he is capable of getting things done, that much is true. The Ministry of War has confirmed Yoto is dead. Granting a Strike General Merit is always better for salvaging some of the court's face than letting Yoto die of illness. The Emperor is actually willing on that point as well. For me, it is a matter of convenience; the only consideration is whom to give it to. He used the Capture Flag Merit to trade — in reality, he was using Liu Yuliang's position as Chief Grand Secretary to trade. One could say I got the better deal. If it had been an upright man, he would not have spoken to me at all and would have directly given the Capture Flag Merit to Liu Guangzuo. That would have been far less practical than this shameless wretch."

The Advisor looked up at Xue Guoguan. "Then, Master, do you mean to accept Wu Changshi?"

"He is not the only one utterly devoid of shame. The reason I will not accept him is because he is Zhang Pu's man. To me, he is foe, not friend. What the Restoration Society can give him, I may not necessarily be able to give. The profit is insufficient to secure his loyalty. Keeping him close would instead become a hidden danger. Therefore, it is inadvisable to accept him."

The Advisor nodded. "The Jurchen Slaves have already left the border. Now that Pang Yu will not be able to report merit for Liu Guangzuo afterward, and Liu Guangzuo has already been delivered to the Ministry of Justice, it is best not to execute him now, so that we can keep dragging Liu Yuliang down. Sun Chuanting has achieved practically nothing in eastern Ji — that can already be considered settled. Impeachment memorials from court and provincial censors are interwoven, the Eight Brigands in Huguang have rebelled again, and the Emperor is in a thunderous rage. As long as some of that rage can be directed toward Liu Yuliang, the position of Chief Grand Secretary can be vacated. This humble one believes the Emperor's choice is you, Master. But if you take the post, the Donglin and Restoration Society will surely rise up in mass attack again. The court censors are one thing, but now there is also a Military Officer to contend with. Military men are domineering now; I fear he may act against your interests, sir."

Xue Guoguan did not indicate agreement or disagreement. The Advisor continued, "We now know that Pang Yu is a man of the Restoration Society. This Anqing Battalion came from Nanzhili, which, come to think of it, is also a place where the Restoration Society is entrenched. I just never imagined that the Southern Troops, weak for so many years, could produce such a battalion. This time they will certainly establish a garrison and he will be promoted to Regional Commander. If they are this capable in battle, the Restoration Society will also gain a reputation for frontier military talent in the future, making them harder to deal with. This humble one wonders whether this suspicion of Forming Cliques can be dragged onto this Deputy Regional Commander Pang."

Xue Guoguan opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling. "During the Tongcheng Uprising, Wen Laoxiansheng originally intended to trap Zhang Guowei in the affair. Who knew that one yamen runner would go alone and take thirty heads, turning the uprising into a minor disturbance, and the matter was thus glossed over. Afterward, Pang Yu attached himself to Zhang Guowei, rose to become the Anqing Defense Officer, and proved truly capable in war. After a bout of social climbing, he became a disciple of Qian Qianyi. Originally he was to be implicated, but then he won the great victory at Susong. Now he is colluding with the Restoration Society again. Who knows whose man he truly is? But one thing is clear: a military man who thinks himself clever, shifting his allegiance from one patron to another, will ultimately trap himself with the suspicion of Forming Cliques."

"Then when you take the post of Chief Grand Secretary, Master..."

"Yang Sichang is already drafting the charges and punishments for all the officials involved in this border incursion. The Ministry of Personnel is deliberating jointly. Many will be executed. With Huguang in chaos again, the court will inevitably undergo a great upheaval. After the Emperor received the news, he has seen no one these past two days. The originally planned imperial audiences for the generals who rallied to the king have now all been canceled." After a moment, Xue Guoguan shook his head. "Times are no longer what they were. The Tartars have just left the border, but they will always come again. The Eight Brigands have rebelled in Huguang, and the realm is beset with more troubles. What the Emperor values are these military men who can fight. The Ministry of War also needs military officers like Pang Yu. Even if you obtained solid proof of his cliques, the Emperor would not listen to it right now. You must wait until he is defeated in battle, and then present it. Then it would not be him alone — the Restoration Society colluding with military men in cliques would be an unforgivable crime. Give him this Strike General Merit for now, and let the Restoration Society pack of curs be smug for a time. We shall quietly await our moment."

"The Ministry of War's deliberation has been reported to the Cabinet. The assembled Grand Secretaries have resolved: the Anqing Cavalry Camp slew Yoto in formation. This will immediately be published in the Court Gazette and proclaimed throughout the realm. General Pang has achieved the most extraordinary merit since the beginning of the Eastern Campaign."

In the rear hall of the Tongzhou Regional Commander's yamen, Yang Sichang looked at Pang Yu before him and spoke in a gentle tone. Shen Xun stood nearby.

Pang Yu's heart leaped several times. A whole series of propaganda plans flashed through his mind. He quickly said, "By the Emperor's great fortune and thanks to Elder Yang's masterful planning, this humble officer dares not claim the credit."

Yang Sichang seemed to have little interest in such words and merely smiled. "The Eastern Invaders have just departed. The troops and horses will inevitably undergo some redeployment. The Anqing Battalion consists of Southern Troops. In the memorial to the Emperor regarding the return of the King's Reinforcement Army to their designated posts, I have already listed General Pang's unit in the first group."

Pang Yu expressed his thanks. After this brief exchange, his impression of Yang Sichang was excellent. This was a request Pang Yu had previously made to Shen Xun, and Yang Sichang had clearly taken it to heart. But he certainly also hoped for something in return from Pang Yu.

Pang Yu had read documents written by Sun Chuanting before, in which Yang Sichang was often addressed as "Benbing." However, Yang Sichang's actual post was not Minister of War, but Minister of Rites.

This Minister of Rites was not an actual appointment to the Ministry of Rites, but a nominal post representing rank. Because in court hierarchy, the Ministry of Rites was nominally first. He then used the nominal post of Minister of Rites to serve as a Grand Secretary and enter the Cabinet, and then, as a Grand Secretary, managed the affairs of the Ministry of War. Thus, by taking a roundabout path, he performed the work of Minister of War while holding the post of Minister of Rites. It sounded somewhat peculiar, but the purpose was to serve as a Cabinet Grand Secretary, placing his status a cut above the other Ministers, so that the priority of Ministry of War affairs would be correspondingly elevated.

When he first entered the Capital, Yang Sichang had been highly regarded by the Chongzhen Emperor, who gave full support to his strategies. However, the Emperor suddenly changed his mind on the issue of Feigned Surrender to the Roving Bandits, and Yang Sichang's policies could not be advanced. On the issue of opening border trade with the Eastern Invaders, the two sides were even more deadlocked, and their relationship was not as harmonious as at the beginning. But overall, during the two years Yang Sichang managed the Ministry of War, the situation had been improving. The Emperor was not as close to him as before, but he could still be considered deeply trusted. Before the Qing army entered the border, many Capital Officials regarded him as the future Chief Grand Secretary.

After the Qing army entered the border, the Government Troops did nothing, and the Xuan-Da forces suffered a major Defeat. By rights, Yang Sichang, who managed the Ministry of War, bore the greatest responsibility. But the Emperor's fury was mainly directed at the executors. Yang Sichang repeatedly asked to be punished, yet the Emperor's penalty for him remained very light. On the matter of dealing with Sun Chuanting, the Emperor stood even more firmly on the same battle line as Yang Sichang.

News from the Capital indicated that Yang Sichang would continue to preside over the Ministry of War. And Pang Yu, having achieved great merit multiple times, would certainly be promoted to Regional Commander upon his return. The establishment of a garrison at Anqing was also possible. The Ministry of War would be his direct superior.

Yang Sichang's summoning of Pang Yu in Tongzhou was of considerable importance to Pang Yu. Such an opportunity for face-to-face communication was rare. It would allow him to better grasp the court's strategy, especially how to balance the two fronts against the Roving Bandits and the Eastern Invaders, and also to present his own opinions to Yang Sichang.

Shen Xun, standing nearby, said, "The latest dispatch bulletin from Xiangyang reports: the Anqing Cavalry and Infantry attacked Cao Cao and Hun Shiwan at Fang County, defeated the enemy in two engagements, and took over a thousand heads. The remaining bandits fled westward in disarray. The Household Retainers of the Huguang Pacification Standard, along with a portion of General Pang's Household Retainers, defeated a unit of the West Camp Old Camp at Nanyang. The main force of the Eight Brigands is still heading east. In this rebellion of the Eight Brigands, it is fortunate that the Huguang Pacification Standard and the Anqing troops were prepared. Both groups of Roving Thieves have suffered defeat and, in their flight, the damage they cause is not yet severe."

Yang Sichang continued, "The Roving Bandits have always been easy to defeat but hard to destroy. There are still over ten bands in the Yinghuo Mountains. The Eight Brigands are surely heading there. That place, at the junction of three provinces, is the most difficult for pursuit and suppression. Anqing is right next door. What preparations does General Pang have for this area?"

Seeing that Yang Sichang was not engaging in empty talk, Pang Yu spoke directly. "Reporting for your information, sir: the Yinghuo Mountains can shelter them from government troops, but no grain is produced within. The bandits must still come out to seize provisions. Because the Anqing troops are strong, they have always emerged into Henan and Huguang. However, this mountain region stretches for several hundred li. Once they exit the mountains, they are in a different jurisdiction. Communication is difficult, and the bandits can exploit the gaps to strike. This humble officer believes that adding more troops is only one aspect. The Anqing troops are strong, but they belong to the Yingtian Jurisdiction. Even going to Lu'an Prefecture would enter the designated territory of the Fengyang Governor. Crossing into Huangmei is Huguang's designated territory. Senior officials, fearing trouble, forbid crossing boundaries for pursuit and suppression. In this way, they can never be wiped out. This humble officer requests the Ministry of War to grant the Anqing troops discretionary authority, at least to enter the surrounding areas along the mountains and rivers for pursuit and suppression. If a garrison can be established at Anqing, we could separately form one camp each of Skirmishers and reinforcement troops, dedicated to pursuing and suppressing in the Yinghuo Mountain Area. We could also reoccupy the county seats of Yingshan and Huoshan, preventing the bandits from roaming the mountains. In this way, there is hope of pacification."

Pang Yu had already discussed the Anqing Battalion's plan with Shen Xun before. Controlling the Yinghuo Mountain Area was crucial for suppressing the bandits. But within the imperial military system, Pang Yu only had authority over the Cavalry Camp. The rest — the New Braves, the Bronze Standard, the Water Camp — were not under his command, let alone the Mountain Enemy Battalion and the Local Militia. Therefore, Pang Yu could only use the names of Skirmishers and reinforcement troops as a pretext to request troops and funds. But the overall plan was the same.

As the originator of the "Ten-Sided Net" strategy, Yang Sichang was intimately familiar with the military geography of the Central Plains and clearly understood Anqing's importance. However, when Pang Yu probed the possibility of establishing a garrison at Anqing, he gave no reply.

Yang Sichang nodded to Shen Xun beside him. Shen Xun unrolled a map on the table, but it turned out to be of the northern region. It seemed Yang Sichang was not particularly urgent about suppressing the bandits.

Shen Xun said to Pang Yu, "The various Mongol tribes have submitted. The Nine Borders are all points from which they can invade. Last year, Pi Island fell, and the Dongjiang forces disintegrated. Joseon also submitted to the Eastern Invaders. The Jurchen Slaves' two flanking constraints are entirely gone. That is why this year's border incursion lasted half a year, and the devastation inflicted far exceeds the past. General Pang has fought two victorious engagements against the Eastern Invaders this time and achieved the extraordinary merit of slaying a commander. I wonder if you have any insights on recovering Liaodong."

Pang Yu looked at the map. The Ming Dynasty's strategic situation was indeed extremely passive. Previously, the Chahar to the west, and the Eastern River Garrison and Joseon to the east, had formed a powerful constraint on the Eastern Invaders. The Later Jin had to worry about their home base, and each offensive lacked sustainability. Now, both flanks were instead controlled by the Qing army. The Nine Borders were all under the enemy's threat. Outside Shanhai Pass, only Liaoxi remained, utterly incapable of threatening the Qing army.

"This humble officer has one matter on which he seeks Elder Yang's guidance." Pang Yu looked up at Yang Sichang. "This time the Jurchen Slaves have withdrawn. In two years, they will come again. During these two intervening years, according to the Jurchen Slaves' usual practice, they will not simply hole up in Liaodong and do nothing. This humble officer has compiled the battle records over the years. They will also conduct one or two slightly larger-scale operations around the periphery of Liaodong. Chahar, Dongjiang, Joseon, the Beating the Bell River, Xuan-Da — these are examples. Where does Your Excellency think they will attack next?"

"Liaoxi. Jinzhou is the most worrisome. Next would be Xuan-Da." Yang Sichang did not hesitate; clearly, he had already pondered this question.

Pang Yu thought for a moment and said, "The Eastern Invaders' state is small but its army strong. They need to continuously deplete the Ming's elite troops, especially the nearby Nine Borders garrisons. Hence, a major campaign every two years, a medium campaign every year. They will not give us a moment to catch our breath. Elder, since you manage the Ministry of War, if the Eastern Invaders truly attack Jinzhou or Xuan-Da, does the Ministry have a plan for how to respond?"

Yang Sichang did not answer directly. He looked at Pang Yu and said, "What does General Pang think is the best way to respond?"

"Compared to our Ming Dynasty, although the Eastern Invaders are nominally the size of a province, their actual population and arable land are not large. Whether true Jurchen, Mongols, or Han, all are under the Eight Banners, all working for their Masters. Apart from farming and plundering, they have no other economy whatsoever. In recent years, the drought in Liaodong has been no less severe than in the Central Plains. With such inefficient farming on top of that, they cannot feed the population under their rule."

Neither Yang Sichang nor Shen Xun interrupted. Pang Yu pointed to the Mongol region. "Although the Mongols to the west are called Outer Vassals, they only acknowledge the Eastern Invaders as their masters if there are tangible benefits. The Eastern Invaders themselves have no money or provisions to give. Everything comes from plundering inside the border. A single attack on Liaoxi or Xuan-Da cannot obtain these things. The money and grain previously looted will also be exhausted within two years. Ultimately, they must still breach the border and penetrate deep to plunder."

Yang Sichang nodded slightly. Pang Yu pointed to the Liaoxi area. "If the court wishes to fight a major battle with the Eastern Invaders, it should not be in Liaoxi. That place is too close to Liaodong. The enemy can move troops easily, while the court must move troops from afar. Nor should it be in Xuan-Da, because the Outer Vassal Mongols can provide rear support and a retreat route for the Eastern Invaders. In two years, they will certainly enter the border. As long as Liaoxi still stands, the Eastern Invaders can only send half their troops inside the border. The terrain of Shanxi and Xuan-Da is inconvenient for marching troops. The places near the border that are easy to plunder, they have already plundered twice. Beizhi has been devastated terribly this time. Henan was long ago ravaged by the Roving Bandits. There are not many places left for them to choose from."

Shen Xun said in a low voice, "The areas around the Capital — Tongzhou, Mi, Tianjin, and such places. Or the Shandong region south of Linqing and east of Jinan."

"In this humble officer's shallow view, holding Liaoxi will not recover Liaodong. As long as we annihilate the Eastern Invaders' elite troops, Liaodong will naturally return. The Eastern Invaders appear powerful, but their greatest weakness is that they only have the strength for campaigns, not the capacity for long-term recuperation and sustenance. Therefore, the Eastern Invaders' actions are predictable. Everyone at court fears the Jurchen Slaves entering the border, but this humble officer believes that this is the best opportunity to pacify Liaodong." Pang Yu looked at Yang Sichang and said, "The areas around the Capital are all large cities. The Jurchen Slaves enter as light raiders and cannot sustain heavy casualties. As long as we send the existing Zhili infantry to defend them, the Jurchen Slaves cannot break these large cities. They must continue south. Southern Zhili has already been devastated; they cannot seize enough provisions and must continue further south. As Official Shen said, they must go south of Dongchang. This humble officer does not know how deep they will penetrate, but I venture to guess that on their return journey, they will go east from Yanzhou and take the eastern part of Shandong to head back. This way, they avoid retracing their path and can plunder the most provisions."

Shen Xun glanced at Yang Sichang and said, "General Pang means to leave Liaoxi alone and ignore it."

"All units that rallied to the king should return immediately to suppress the bandits. Within these two years, no matter how the Tartars attack, as long as Shanhai Pass does not fall, Liaoxi should be held only with the current troops. Do not fight major battles with them and deplete our forces. In two years, when the Eastern Invaders enter the border, their troops will number only half their total, or slightly more. We will then have the advantage of fighting the few with the many. At that time, regardless of the bandit suppression situation, assemble the elite troops from various regions on standby in the Dongchang Prefecture area. Stockpile provisions and supplies in advance in the Xuzhou and Yanzhou area, and continue to receive support from Nanzhili. Wait at ease for the exhausted Qing army entering the border. That force will have trekked nearly two thousand li, deep into enemy territory alone. The men will be weary, the horses spent, unaccustomed to the climate, lacking intelligence, and absolutely without any reinforcements to await. As long as they suffer a slight setback, or their retreat route is cut off — for example, at the southern bank of the Yongding River — this group of Eastern Invaders will be even more prone to crumbling morale. We do not need to defeat them; we only need to pin them down so they cannot march. They will certainly collapse on their own. Not a single man or horse will return to Liaodong. This is the best decisive battle location this humble officer can conceive."

Yang Sichang's expression was complex. Pang Yu felt that Yang Sichang might have once envisioned such a plan, but simply lacked the strength to execute it. Now that Pang Yu proposed it, the Anqing Battalion would naturally serve as the main force in the engagement. Based on their battle record this time, especially the battle at the Yongding River, there was now a sliver of hope for success.

Pang Yu probingly continued, "As long as that entire invading force is annihilated, the tiger-skin of the Eastern Invaders' mighty army will be torn away. Only half the Eastern Invaders will remain in Liaodong. The Outer Vassal tribes will receive no more provisions. The Mongols and Joseon on both flanks will naturally drift away. The situation in Liaodong will immediately reverse. Even if we cannot recover Liaodong for the time being, the Eastern Invaders will absolutely never again have the strength to enter the border. At that point, we can turn our full strength against the Roving Bandits. Once the Roving Bandits are wiped out, we can finally pacify Liaodong. Only then will the realm have hope for peace."

After Pang Yu finished speaking, Yang Sichang stared at the map before him, his eyes constantly shifting.