Chapter 99: A Small Wager on the Nation's Fortune — His Majesty Can Afford to Lose Anyway (Bonus 3K)

One after the other, the two men came before the screen.

Sun Chengzong fixed his gaze upon it. The screen was backed with white paper, densely covered in tiny regular-script characters written in ink. On closer inspection, the writing formed a great tree with luxuriant branches and leaves, forking outward again and again from top to bottom.

Zhu Youjian lightly slapped the long wooden pointer against his palm, producing a crisp "pak!"

"In my judgment, the foremost task for the Great Ming is to purge and rectify internal governance."

"Yet purging and rectifying internal governance will inevitably cause upheaval in the empire's very heartland. That being the case, it will no longer be possible to sustain large-scale combat and investment in Liaodong."

"Therefore, the guiding principle of the Liaodong strategy can be summed up in two words."

Zhu Youjian brought the pointer down heavily on the screen.

At the very top of the screen, written in vermilion brush, two characters blazed with murderous intent.

—Trap the Barbarians!

Zhu Youjian slid the pointer down along the main trunk and tapped the first thick branch.

The Liaoxi Corridor

"In my judgment, for the time being Liaoxi can take Ningyuan or the Songshan-Jinzhou line as its boundary. We shall concentrate our forces, order the Governor to purge and trim the troop rolls, train the soldiers, open military farmland, build fortifications, dig deep moats and raise high ramparts."

"And since the strategic guiding principle has now changed, the method of merit assessment must change accordingly."

"Henceforth, my assessment of the Liaoxi theater will look only at whether a truly combat-effective force has been streamlined and forged — not at whether a single inch of territory has been recovered!"

"For every item of assessment, I will dispatch the Depot and the Guard to inspect alongside you, Master Sun. A minor review every three months, a major review every six months. Should the Governor fail to meet the targets, I care not who he is — he will be summarily dismissed!"

Having said this, Zhu Youjian shifted his tone and looked at Sun Chengzong.

"Only, on this particular strategy, I am still hesitating: should we hold the line at Ningyuan, or the line at Songshan-Jinzhou?"

"Master Sun, do you have guidance for me?"

This was a test, and even more, a gesture of respect.

Sun Chengzong pondered for a moment, weighing his words, striving to make himself clear to this young sovereign.

"This subject believes we should hold the Songshan-Jinzhou line."

"First, for the sake of screening."

"To hold Shanhai Pass, one must first hold Ningyuan. By the same logic, to hold Ningyuan, one must hold Jinzhou. Otherwise, when the enemy cavalry suddenly descends, our forces will lose every chance of early warning."

Zhu Youjian nodded. This was using Jinzhou as a meat shield for Ningyuan.

Sun Chengzong continued:

"Second, for the sake of raiding and harassing."

"Jinzhou lies on the banks of the Xiaoling River. So long as our forces hold this place, the thousand li of land west of the river is contested ground, shared between the enemy and us."

"We can send troops out to raid and harass, making it impossible for them to farm or graze in peace. If we abandon Jinzhou, then all the land west of the river becomes farmland for the barbarian chieftain. He will grow stronger by the day, and we will grow weaker by the day."

"The walls of Ningyuan are stout, but its approaches are narrow. The enemy finds it hard to enter, but we find it equally hard to sally forth."

Zhu Youjian nodded again. This was about preserving the necessary offensive edge.

Any defense must incorporate offense — this principle he had grasped as a child, reading Chen Gui's Record of the Defense of Cities.

"Third," Sun Chengzong's tone grew weightier, "lies in planning for what comes after."

"Today, though we take 'containment' as our main approach, the day will come when the state's strength recovers and the time for counterattack arrives."

"By holding Songshan-Jinzhou, we can later plan to retake Youtun, and then use Youtun and Lushun together to capture Gaizhou, thereby recovering southern Liao. This is the long-term plan."

Zhu Youjian thought for a moment, then raised a very practical question: "Jinzhou is a hundred and twenty li from Ningyuan. Transporting grain overland entails enormous wastage. Can the grain route be secured?"

Sun Chengzong replied at once: "Your Majesty need not worry. Jinzhou, like Ningyuan, can rely on seaborne supply."

"Grain and fodder are shipped by sea from Juehua Island, then up the Xiaoling River, and can be offloaded directly beneath the walls of Jinzhou — exceedingly convenient."

"So that is how it is!" Zhu Youjian let out a hearty laugh, not the least bit embarrassed. "It is a good thing I have you here, Master Sun. Otherwise I would have committed the grand blunder of armchair strategizing."

He asked earnestly: "Are there any other oversights in this plan?"

Sun Chengzong shook his head: "Your Majesty has set the strategic objectives to determine the merit assessment — the targets are clear, authority and responsibility are distinctly assigned. Compared to the empty talk and reckless advances of the past, this is incalculably superior. This subject believes this approach is excellent."

"Then, can the current Governor of Liaodong, Wang Zhichen, carry out these duties? Does he need to be replaced?"

Sun Chengzong fell silent for a moment, then still gave a balanced answer: "As for Wang Zhichen, he has served successively as County Magistrate and as a capital official, and has spent many years in Liaodong. He is well acquainted with military affairs, and adequate at preserving what has been achieved. Now that Your Majesty has settled on this policy, there should be no major obstacle to his executing it."

"Good, then we shall follow your counsel, Master Sun." Zhu Youjian smiled, not particularly concerned.

Old Sun was excellent in every way — he simply disliked offending people.

No matter; this was a trifle.

If Wang Zhichen could do the job well, he would stay on. If not, he had plenty of people to replace him with.

In any case, in another month or two, he would hold a fistful of cards to play!

Zhu Youjian's pointer moved to the second branch.

Lushun in Southern Liao

He pondered briefly, then spoke slowly: "Dongjiang is very important, but in my judgment, the Dongjiang Garrison in its present form has serious problems."

"I intend to detach Lushun, Guanglu, Changshan, Shicheng, and the other islands of southern Liao from the Dongjiang Garrison, combine them into a single garrison, appoint a separate Regional Commander, and establish a dedicated Circuit Intendant for military affairs."

"The Regional Commander's duty will be to raid and harass the barbarian chieftain's coastline, and to receive and guide the Han people of Liaodong. He must ensure that for several hundred li along the coast, everything is reduced to barren waste, with not a single grain to be harvested."

"As for the Circuit Intendant's duty, he will be solely in charge of military farmland, troop pay, coin and silver, and such matters on the various islands. Military and civilian affairs will be separated, with neither subordinate to the other."

"Next year, we shall see whether the imperial treasury's finances have recovered somewhat. If the timing is right, we can then consider building another fortress at Jin Prefecture, to serve as the cornerstone for our designs on Gaizhou and Fu Prefecture."

He turned his head and looked at Sun Chengzong: "My point of hesitation with this strategy is: can Mao Wenlong be made to accept the breakup of his command?"

Sun Chengzong pondered for a long while before speaking slowly: "This subject has been away from the capital for several years and has not met with Mao Wenlong. Men's hearts change; separated by a thousand li, it is ultimately hard to say."

"This subject requests to receive the edict in advance. Once I assume my post, I shall personally summon him to come see me. If he is truly devoted to the state and submits to the larger picture, it will not be too late to implement this policy."

"Approved." Zhu Youjian nodded. "Then, for the posts of Regional Commander and Circuit Intendant, does Master Sun have anyone to recommend?"

Sun Chengzong said: "This garrison is newly established; its forces are few and its strength slight. The current Vice Regional Commander, Xu Yingyuan, can be ordered to temporarily act as Regional Commander."

"As for the Circuit Intendant, this subject believes Bi Zisu, the Circuit Intendant of Ningyuan, can be transferred to take charge. This man is diligent and steadfast, and highly skilled in matters of coin and grain."

Zhu Youjian silently recited the two names in his mind.

Bi Zisu — Bi Ziyan's younger brother. Historically, during the Ningyuan mutiny the following year, he would be humiliated and driven to suicide.

But what his actual ability was remained an unknown.

As for that Xu Yingyuan, he had never even heard the name before.

Well, no matter. Doubt a man, do not use him; use a man, do not doubt him.

Since he had already made Sun Chengzong Governor-General of Liao affairs, he ought to trust him.

Zhu Youjian hesitated no longer. He nodded and pointed the wooden rod at the third branch.

Liao Right — Dongjiang

He looked at those four characters and gave a faint sigh.

"This Mao Wenlong — We truly do not know now whether he can be used or not."

"The authority Our imperial brother granted this man was still a little too great…"

"Military affairs, military farmland, maritime trade, foreign relations… every major power concentrated in his hands alone, and cut off across the sea besides — heaven is high and the Emperor is far away. How could that not go wrong?"

He slapped the wooden rod heavily against his palm, his tone turning stern.

"Henceforth, the Dongjiang garrison shall have only Pidao, Tieshan, Shenmi Island, and the like as its jurisdiction."

"Its foremost task shall be to sever the barbarian chieftain's ties with Joseon, to cut off all trade between the two sides, and to dispatch men in peacetime to assassinate the envoys of both — ensuring by every means that Joseon can no longer serve as the barbarian chieftain's rear support!"

"Only second to that shall be matters such as taking in Liao refugees and planting spies."

"We want you to tell Mao Wenlong: henceforth, he is to concern himself solely with military affairs and drilling troops!"

"All other matters — military farmland, provisions and pay, maritime trade, diplomacy with Joseon, the investigation and prohibition of smuggling — We shall dispatch a governor to take sole charge of them!"

"Compared to all those great victories he reports every day, ensuring the barbarian chieftain cannot obtain a single grain of rice or a single bolt of cloth is far more important!"

He turned his head, his gaze sharp as lightning, and fixed it upon Sun Chengzong. "This post of governor is of immense importance. Does Master Sun have anyone to recommend?"

Sun Chengzong sank into prolonged thought.

Only after a long while did he speak, with some difficulty. "In reply to Your Majesty, at this moment this subject can think of only two men, but… neither is entirely suitable."

"The first is the former Junior Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, Jiang Yueguang."

"In the sixth year of Tianqi, this man was dispatched to Joseon to invest the king. He was incorruptible and self-possessed, accepting no bribes, and his reputation among Joseon's scholarly circles is quite good."

"During that journey, he was ordered to investigate the military situation in Dongjiang. He reported back that of the hundred fifty thousand soldiers and civilians there, no more than thirty thousand were usable — which shows the man seeks truth and deals in facts."

"If he were sent, dealings with Joseon might be facilitated, and he would have some understanding of conditions in Dongjiang. It is only that… he has never had any experience in local governance. Whether his ability is sufficient, whether he can keep Mao Wenlong in check — that is exceedingly hard to predict."

"The second is the former Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Xu Guangqi."

"During the Shenzong reign, this man submitted the Memorial Urging the Dispatch of Envoys to Supervise and Protect Joseon, volunteering to go to Joseon to oversee military affairs and assist in drilling troops."

"Later, he drilled troops and opened military farmland in Tianjin. His experience is rich; he would seem more suitable. However… the kingdom of Joseon would likely resent his former notion of 'supervision and protection,' which would cause many inconveniences."

Zhu Youjian fell silent.

Xu Guangqi?

You want me to toss the future director-general of all science and technology in the Great Ming onto that broken rock of Pidao to scheme and bicker with Mao Wenlong?

Old Sun, Old Sun — is this the unseen mutual repulsion between top-tier SSRs…

He pondered for a moment, then waved his hand. "This candidate — We shall think on it further."

Having said that, he raised his head, drew a deep breath, and steeled his courage.

The wooden rod in his hand moved slowly, yet with absolute resolve, toward the final branch on the screen.

The Ji Garrison — Iron Cavalry

The three-part disposition that had come before was nothing more than him standing on the shoulders of later ages, patching and mending an existing strategy.

Only this final part was the heaviest stone he would cast into the waters after arriving in this era!

Whether it was right or wrong, whether it would turn the nation's fate or hasten its collapse — even he himself had no certainty in his heart.

The realm is a chessboard; one wrong move and the whole game is lost.

Yet if one cannot decide when decision is needed, one sits trapped in a besieged city — that too is a dead end.

He suppressed the surging waves in his heart, and only then did he slowly speak. His voice was not loud, but every word weighed a thousand jun.

"In the struggle between the Hudun Tuohan tribe and the tribes of Southern Mongolia — our Great Ming must intervene!"

"And moreover, this intervention must be a military intervention!"

"The Mongol tribes fear power, not cherish virtue."

"And as it happens, Great Ming's power has long been in decline because of the Liao war. It is time to make them remember it anew!"

He turned his head sharply and looked at Sun Chengzong, his eyes burning with a flame such as had never been seen before.

"We need an elite cavalry force! An iron cavalry capable of altering the course of battle! We intend to use the rout of Hudun Tuohan to reshape Great Ming's authority on the steppe!"

"Even… to seize this opportunity, to exploit the Ligdan Khan's tyrannical misrule, and to re-integrate Southern Mongolia before the barbarian chieftain does!"

He gripped the wooden rod tightly, his knuckles whitening from the force. Summoning every ounce of strength in his body, he asked that question:

"Master Sun! Can our Great Ming do this now?!"

Sun Chengzong was stunned speechless by this wildly imaginative, earth-shattering idea!

His entire body froze there, as though he had even forgotten to breathe.

Was it not said that we would mediate between the Ha tribe and the Ligdan Khan, striking whichever side moved first?

Was intimidation not meant to be the main approach?

This meaning — was it actually to directly lure the Ligdan Khan into striking, and use him to build up Great Ming's prestige?!

Yet, he was Sun Chengzong after all.

After the brief shock came a lightning-swift mental calculation — the accumulated depth of decades spent in loose furs and easy sashes, discoursing freely on the military affairs of the realm, now churning through his mind at desperate speed.

The more he thought, the more agitated he became!

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became!

Those eyes, already somewhat dull with age, now blazed with a terrifying light, as if two fires were burning within them!

At last, unable to restrain himself any longer, he stepped forward and, mustering all his strength, answered in a ringing voice:

"Your Majesty! The Great Ming can do it!"

He spoke with extreme rapidity, almost without pausing to think:

"The Ligdan Khan's tribe claims a hundred thousand bowstrings, but in truth, their fighting men number no more than forty or fifty thousand!"

"Their hearts are divided, their military discipline is lax, and their battle strength cannot be spoken of in the same breath as the barbarian chieftain's!"

"This subject requests that Your Majesty select three thousand elite household retainers from the nine border garrisons, and transfer another three thousand cavalry from the Liaodong army, combining them into two battalions — six thousand iron cavalry in all — which will be sufficient to accomplish this great deed!"

Hearing these words, Zhu Youjian felt his mouth go dry and his heart pound wildly.

"Master Sun also thinks... this proposal is feasible? Six thousand cavalry against fifty thousand cavalry — can we win?"

"Your Majesty, why would it not be feasible!" Sun Chengzong drew another step closer, his gaze so fervent it seemed it might melt a man. "In past campaigns between our Great Ming and the steppe tribes, it was never that our troops could not prevail!"

"Our troops' armor and training far surpass theirs! It is only that the steppe is vast, and the enemy is accustomed to roaming without engaging, which makes it difficult to achieve total victory in a single battle!"

"Now, the Harqin tribe is in imminent danger and can serve as our vanguard!"

"We can also make contact with the Three Guards of the Duoyan to act as guides, breaking into their midst at the decisive moment!"

"In this way, we need fear neither losing our way nor the enemy slipping away! When the decisive moment comes, our six thousand elite iron cavalry, descending like heavenly soldiers, will be enough to settle the fate of all in a single battle!"

Zhu Youjian drew a deep breath, forcing his surging emotions to calm, and pressed further:

"And if it fails? How great would the losses be?"

Sun Chengzong replied coolly:

"Your Majesty, cavalry engagements have always made total annihilation difficult — that is why decapitation merits among the border troops are so hard to come by."

"If it fails, so long as the commander does not panic and withdraws his troops to the Great Wall by the nearest route, it is impossible for the entire army to be wiped out."

Zhu Youjian clapped his hands with a sigh and pressed once more:

"So the key is to appear at the most opportune time, in the most opportune place."

"Too early, and Ligdan Khan may catch wind of it and flee, halting his attack."

"Too late, and the Harqin tribe may already have been routed by him."

"This commander must be familiar with border conditions, familiar with the enemy's ways, capable of making decisions in the heat of battle, and unflustered in defeat."

"In Master Sun's judgment, who would be the best choice as commander for this campaign?!"

"This subject requests Ma Shilong be chosen!"

Sun Chengzong's answer came almost without hesitation, as if it had been on the tip of his tongue.

"This man is of Ningxia origin, and has served successively as Regional Commander of Xuanfu, Yongping, and the various garrisons of Liaodong. The conditions of the nine borders are all held within his breast."

"The Liaodong cavalry are his former troops; employing them will raise no concerns."

"The household retainers of Xuanfu, Datong, and the other garrisons are also mostly his old acquaintances. Placed under his command, they will be as responsive as his own arm and fingers!"

"Moreover, this campaign is precisely beyond the passes of Xuanfu and Datong — territory he knows well!"

"This subject believes that for commander of this campaign, no one else will do!"

Zhu Youjian drew one deep breath, then another, forcing himself to become utterly calm.

"Good... good!"

"First, requisition the household retainers and officers, assembling them secretly at the Ji Garrison."

"Then, prepare all military provisions, pay, horses, and equipment in one complete set."

"At the same time, send men to establish contact with the Three Guards of the Duoyan and the Harqin tribe, and be sure to obtain accurate intelligence at all times on the movements of the Ligdan Khan's main army."

"Every single matter must be arranged in advance; no failure will be tolerated!"

He turned his head and, facing Gao Shiming, commanded in a deep voice: "Draft the edict!"

Gao Shiming hastily bowed and fetched brush and ink.

"By imperial decree!"

"Sun Chengzong is to go forth to the border as Supreme Commander, overseeing all military affairs of Ji, Liaodong, Tianjin, and Denglai."

"Conferred with the concurrent title of Minister of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate!"

"Granted the Imperial Sword, with full authority to act as circumstances require!"

Gao Shiming's brush flew across the paper.

Zhu Youjian turned around and once again grasped Sun Chengzong's calloused hands.

A thousand words, ten thousand hopes — in the end, they all condensed into a single short sentence.

"Master Sun..."

"Do it well!"

"We, here in the capital, await your good tidings!"

(Ding — System Notice: SSR card "Sun Chengzong" has been deployed. Great Ming National Fortune 100.)

(Ding — System Notice: Hidden scenario "Displaying Might Across the Great Desert" has been triggered. Great Ming National Fortune ±???)