Chapter 148: Undercurrents Stir, the Northwest Prepares for War

Jia Jing listened to Zhu Que's words, smiled lightly and said:

"Whenever you talk about the development of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you become enthusiastic; there's no need to rush this matter! Steady and methodical is enough."

"For now the Embroidered Uniform Guard must prioritize concealment and must not be detected; safety outweighs development."

Upon saying that, Jia Jing paused briefly, then suddenly asked:

"A few days ago I instructed you to send people to Jiangnan to investigate the False Qing and the movements of the Hunxie Khanate and the Northern Yuan Royal Court in the Northwest; have any reports arrived?"

After speaking with Emperor Jing Sheng Di a few days earlier, Jia Jing immediately issued two orders to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The first concerned Lin Ruhai: the Embroidered Uniform Guard is to gather intelligence in Jiangnan and covertly ensure Lin Ruhai's safety.

The second addressed the unrest in the Northwest mentioned by Emperor Jing Sheng Di; in recent days Jia Jing reviewed the Ministry of War's military intelligence on the Northwest and Liaodong, and also ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to probe the specific situation there.

From the Ministry of War's reports he learned that the Hunxie Khanate and Northern Yuan have indeed been restless in the Northwest lately, acting frequently, with a strong possibility of a southern invasion of the Da Han Empire.

Hearing this, Zhu Que reached into his chest, produced a secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, handed it to Jia Jing, and said with a bow:

"The forces moving south have reported that they have already reached Yangzhou."

"Today news also arrived from the Northwest and Liaodong: a few days ago the Hunxie Khanate and the Northern Yuan Royal Court held a summit at Wolf Mountain, issued a proclamation, intending to jointly dispatch troops to attack our Da Han Empire, and the False Qing also sent an envoy to attend."

"However, the exact timing and plan of the deployment are still unknown; the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been operating in Liaodong longer, so the information from there is more detailed."

"The False Qing court is already debating the choice of commander for the expedition; it has been decided that next spring the False Qing will launch two armies."

"One will be stationed in Liaodong to contain Da Han forces, while the other will appoint a 'Grand General Wang' to the Northwest, commanding the Mongol troops under the False Qing, and together with the Hunxie Khanate and Northern Yuan Royal Court will march south."

"At present the False Qing court is embroiled in debate over which prince should become Grand General Wang; several of Kangxi's princes all wish to take on this command."

"According to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's intelligence, Kangxi is likely to appoint the 14th Prince Yinti or the 13th Prince Yinxiang as Grand General Wang, with Tongjia Longkedo, commander of the Mongol forces, as deputy, to lead the main campaign in the Northwest."

"Lord, this is the Embroidered Uniform Guard's intelligence report from Liaodong; the details are all reported, please review!"

Zhu Que, while speaking, lifted the report high above his head with both hands, bowed, and handed it over.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard has been secretly developing in Shenjing and Liaodong for over two years, so its control over those two locations is stronger and its intelligence more thorough.

Other regions, including the Northwest where the situation has only just unfolded, have weaker intelligence capabilities.

"It's already decided to launch the spring expedition? Yinti, Yinxiang and Longkedo as commanders?"

Jia Jing listened to Zhu Que's briefing, furrowed his brows, his gaze deep and somber.

He took the report, examined it carefully, and combined the recent Ministry of War news with his own understanding of the Northwest and Liaodong situation, roughly sketching the current border conditions in his mind.

After finishing the report, Jia Jing pondered briefly, then frowned and said:

"The False Qing's reaction is exactly as I expected. Previously they suffered a crushing defeat in Liaodong, losing soldiers and commanders, and even the eldest prince fell by my hand; I thought it could not be dismissed so simply!"

"Kangxi still has some strategic foresight; the reason he is covertly allying with the Hunxie Khanate and Northern Yuan to dispatch troops this time is, first, revenge, and second, his unwillingness to give our Da Han Empire time to implement New Policies and to reorganize the army."

"It is a blatant tiger‑eating‑wolf scheme, whose main aim is to destabilize our Northwest, using the war to further sap the Da Han Empire's national strength."

"During this period the court, in order to train troops and provide disaster relief, has exhausted the treasury's silver reserves; the Da Han Empire's finances can hardly support the court in waging a major campaign in the Northwest."

"Kangxi has precisely counted on our need for time, which is why he is eager to launch another invasion."

"Once the Northwest is engulfed in war, the court cannot simply refuse to fight; it cannot abandon the millions of soldiers and civilians there."

"And if we must fight, we need a continuous flow of money and provisions. With an empty treasury, prolonged delay forces the court to raise taxes on the common people."

"If taxes become excessive, it will inevitably cause the populace to suffer, spark widespread discontent, and even ignite fires of war everywhere."

"When the domestic situation collapses, even if we eventually win in the Northwest, the cost will outweigh any gain."

"This is a bright‑side stratagem! Kangxi is betting that we cannot achieve a swift victory on the Northwest battlefield; I guess his expedition this time will be sizable. This battle will be hard to win!"

Jia Jing rubbed his temples, sighed, and said.

The secret report Zhu Que handed over clearly indicated that this joint three‑party expedition is being incited by the False Qing behind the scenes, urging Northern Yuan and the Hunxie Khanate.

During this period the False Qing has been dispatching secret envoys to Northern Yuan and Hunxie, persuading both to jointly launch troops to annihilate the Da Han Empire.

Its terms to Hunxie and Northern Yuan are concessions on the spoils of war.

Any Han‑land prefectures and counties captured in this war will not be taken by the False Qing; all will belong to Northern Yuan and Hunxie.

Moreover, the False Qing will provide Northern Yuan and Hunxie with a free batch of fine weapons and a large amount of gold and silver, showing great sincerity.

Additionally, the Northern Yuan Royal Court's Hetao region has suffered consecutive calamities, with livestock losses exceeding half, already fostering a desire to invade southward,

while the Hunxie Khanate has just unified most of the Western Regions, its population has surged, pastures are insufficient, and it needs new grazing lands and slaves.

Thus, the three parties ultimately reached an immediate accord.

Zhu Que said upon hearing this:

"Indeed. The False Qing's desire to destroy us remains unabated; it is truly a deep‑seated threat to our Da Han Empire. However, with you, Lord, they are merely circus clowns!"

Jia Jing gave no reply, but stood, paced, and walked to the map hanging in the hall, staring toward the Northwest and Liaodong.

After a moment, his face showing resolve, he said:

"He wants to destroy us, and I too intend to destroy him. He seeks to drain our national strength and incite internal chaos; that won't be so easy."

"I originally discussed with His Majesty the plan to first spend time implementing New Policies, reorganizing the army, building national strength, restoring livelihoods, and then consider foreign campaigns."

"But plans cannot keep up with changes. Since he refuses to give us time to develop, I can only go along with his wishes."

"The last time we annihilated their 150,000 troops, it still didn't teach them a lesson; this time we must make them feel real pain."

"If we don't show these barbarians a serious blow, they'll keep thinking the Da Han Empire is a soft fruit anyone can crush!"

Upon saying this, Jia Jing made up his mind, slammed his fist onto the desk, and coldly shouted:

"A single punch to open, lest a hundred punches come! The Da Han Empire's national prestige and military might hinge on this very battle!"

"Zhu Que!"

Zhu Que's expression brightened, and he bowed, saying:

"At your service!"

Jia Jing commanded in a deep voice:

"From now on, prepare for war in the Northwest; His Majesty already told me last time that once the Northwest mobilizes, I shall be the chief commander."

"You must immediately dispatch additional Embroidered Uniform Guard to focus on the northwest and Liaodong, have them closely gather intelligence on False Qing, Muddled Evil, and the Northern Yuan Three Kingdoms, and probe their movements."

"All princes, dukes, and ministers of the three kingdoms must have files created and archived, so that we have understanding and records."

"At the same time, the Da Han Empire's military generals, civil officials, and merchants on the northwestern frontier must each be thoroughly understood, including their biographies, family backgrounds, relatives, etc., all to be meticulously mastered."

"If intelligence work is done properly, we will have a better chance when war breaks out in the future."

"Also, the terrain and landforms of the northwest, passes, mountain gaps, water‑source distribution, various marching routes, tribal distributions, strategic locations, and so on must all be sent ahead for people to survey on site."

"It is best to also investigate their deployment times and marching strategies, report daily, and allow no errors."