Chapter 153: The Tartars Are Cunning, but I Am More Cunning! (Seeking Recommendations)

What? A Tartar trap?

The Chongzhen Emperor started, murmuring, "We have already ceded the land of Liaodong and promised a million in annual tribute, and still they are not satisfied?"

"Imperial Father has been fooled again!" Zhu Cilang breathed a sigh of relief — Chongzhen was a reverse indicator! Whatever he believed had an extremely high chance of being wrong; as long as one did the opposite of him, one would be right. So Zhu Cilang was now completely certain that the Tartars were playing a trick!

"Fooled again" — Chongzhen thought to himself: Has We truly been fooled all along? Ah, Our fate is bitter indeed, that everyone We meet is so cunning!

Zhu Cilang nodded, as if agreeing with the Chongzhen Emperor's thoughts — the hearts of men are treacherous! To be an emperor, one must be cunning enough! You are too honest; perhaps I should take over! I am cunning, cunning indeed!

He settled himself grandly in his chair, then invited the assembled ministers to be seated, and only then said: "According to Zu Zepu's report, after the Battle of Yipianshi, the eastern barbarians' Prince Regent Dorgon immediately dispatched Commandery Prince Ajige with thirty thousand Eight Banners troops, together with more than ten thousand Guanning cavalry under Wu Sangui, to pursue Li Zicheng. The elite of the Guanning Army is precisely these ten thousand-odd cavalry, and all of them are now led westward on campaign by Wu Sangui.

The Ming infantry remaining around Shanhai Pass number only a little over thirty thousand, divided among Gao Di, Guo Yunlong (Vice Regional Commander of the Guanning Army), and Wang Yongji, making it difficult to combine their strength; they are no match at all for seventy thousand Eight Banners troops. So Shanhai Pass is already something in the eastern barbarians' bag!

Once Shanhai Pass falls to the barbarians, the great road from Liaodong into the capital will be open and unobstructed. And our Great Ming now has hardly any troops fit for battle, while the roving bandits have just suffered a crushing defeat and likewise lack the strength to resist the eastern barbarians. How would the eastern barbarians' Prince Regent let slip this chance to enter and take the Central Plain? Would they pass up the chance to seize the realm?

Their present demand of a million in annual tribute is nothing but a scheme to lure our Ming court to Beijing, so that they can ambush us on the way and wipe us out in one stroke!"

"The Tartars are actually this cunning? What is to be done?" The Chongzhen Emperor was startled. But what startled him even more was that his son had seen through the Tartars' scheme at a glance — just how cunning had this rebellious son Zhu Cilang become? If so cunning a Crown Prince became emperor, could Great Ming possibly fare well?

Yet Zhu Cilang wore a faint smile and spoke with ease and assurance — where in his appearance was there the slightest trace of cunning?

"Now the Tartars are strong and we are weak," Zhu Cilang said, "and the Tartars are so cunning besides. If our Great Ming is to defeat the Tartars, we must be even more cunning than the Tartars!"

I knew you were cunning! Chongzhen thought: Let the ministers see your true face!

"Thousand Years," Wu Xiang spoke up, "then how should we respond to the Tartars' demands?"

Zhu Cilang said with a smile: "For now we must secure Sangui's entry into Shanxi, secure Cijiong's entry into Dai, and also find a way to bring the former Datong Regional Commander Jiang Xiang and the former Xuanfu Regional Commander Wang Chengyin back over to our side. The lands of Shanxi and Dai command a strategic height; from ancient times they have been ground contested by every military power. Now that the natural barrier of the Yan Mountains is lost, the lands of Shanxi and Dai are the shield of the Central Plain.

So even knowing the Tartars are playing a trick, we must turn their trick to our own use — not only promising to cede land and pay annual tribute, but going a step further, promising a marriage alliance!"

"A marriage alliance?" Chongzhen was taken aback. "Do you mean to betroth Princess Kunxing to the eastern barbarians' emperor?"

Zhu Cilang shook his head and said: "Fulin is only six years old, not yet of an age to take a wife. Moreover, the one who holds power in the eastern barbarians' state is not Fulin or the Empress Dowager Borjigit, but Dorgon. Dorgon, however, has no son, only a daughter named Donggo, the same age as Fulin. We intend to seek her hand as Our consort!"

"What? You — you are the Crown Prince!" Chongzhen burst out. "As the heir apparent of Great Ming, how can you seek a barbarian's daughter as your consort?"

Zhu Cilang turned his head to look at the fuming Chongzhen and shook his head: "Imperial Father, your son is employing a stratagem! Donggo is only six, also not yet of an age to leave her home; even if the marriage is agreed, there is no need to bring her through the door. Before long, war between us and the Qing state will break out again! This marriage alliance is merely a delaying tactic, to make Dorgon firmly believe that Imperial Father and your son will return to Beijing. Only thus can we buy some time for Sangui and Cijiong."

"But even for a stratagem, this is too much" — Chongzhen shook his head repeatedly, at a loss for words.

This Crown Prince was truly too cunning; he dared to tell any sort of outrageous lie!

"Besides using the marriage alliance to deceive Dorgon," Zhu Cilang paused, then continued, "Imperial Father should also write a letter to Hong Chengchou admitting fault, and invite him back to court to serve as Chief Grand Secretary!"

"This — this Hong Chengchou has indeed rendered meritorious service!" Chongzhen nodded. "The defeat at Songshan and Jinzhou was not his fault. We can indeed write to invite him back to court — only, who knows whether he is willing to return?"

"Imperial Father," Zhu Cilang shook his head, "this too is a stratagem! Hong Chengchou will not come back, because he knows the true strength and weakness of our court, and has long been cowed by the eastern barbarians' mighty army. He has already steeled his heart to serve the eastern barbarians!"

"Surely it has not come to that..."

Zhu Cilang gave a cold laugh: "What is in Hong Chengchou's heart, we will know within ten or twenty days!

Grand Secretary Wei, your prose is excellent, so you shall write on Our behalf. In Imperial Father's name, write two letters — one to Dorgon, one to Hong Chengchou.

In the letter to Dorgon, raise the matter of the marriage alliance: say that We seek his daughter Donggo as Our consort, that in the future she shall be Empress of Great Ming, a mother and model to all under heaven, and that the Ming and Qing states shall be joined in the bond of father-in-law and son-in-law!

The letter to Hong Chengchou must offer a sincere apology, and must also thank him for enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens, for the great service of bringing in Qing troops to rid the state of the bandits; then invite him back to serve as Chief Grand Secretary, and also grant him a marquisate! Mention his mother and younger brother as well... as for the specific wording, use your judgment; you are a zhuangyuan, you will surely write it well."

"This subject receives the decree." Wei Zaode hastily rose and respectfully accepted the order.

Zhu Cilang then said to Chongzhen: "Imperial Father, once Grand Secretary Wei has drafted the letters, copy them out in your own hand and send them off. Hong Chengchou recognizes your handwriting and knows your character; he will certainly be taken in."

What is that supposed to mean? Chongzhen thought: Is he belittling Our character? This is an opportunity — as long as the rebellious son thinks Us honest and easy to deceive, We will have a chance to seize back power!

He nodded: "Very well, We shall copy them out!"

"We thank Imperial Father." Zhu Cilang thanked Chongzhen, then asked the ministers, "Now we still need an envoy. Is there anyone at court who can make the trip to Shanhai Pass?"

"Your Majesty," the Minister of War Chen Rui memorialized, "this subject recommends the former Bureau Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Zerui. The man is quick-witted and resourceful, eloquent and persuasive."

"Good." Zhu Cilang nodded. "Go and summon him to the Marshal's Office to see Us."

Zhu Cilang had returned to the main hall of the Marshal's Office. Those who could deliberate with him here were all trusted confidants, so more secret matters could be discussed. After dismissing all irrelevant persons, he said to the assembled: "We need someone to carry out a stratagem of sowing discord! Can any of you recommend a man?"

"Your Highness," the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Zhu Chunjie asked, "is the stratagem to be worked between the Tartars and Hong Chengchou?"

Zhu Cilang nodded. The cunning plan was of course a chain of schemes; relying on one deeply moving letter in the Chongzhen Emperor's own hand would not be enough to eliminate the scourge Hong Chengchou.

"This subject recommends one man." Zhu Chunjie said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard Centurion Lin Yihu is certain to be equal to the task. He is a military jinshi by origin, accomplished in both letters and arms, quick-witted and astute, worthy of great employment."

"Good!" Zhu Cilang nodded. "Summon him at once. Chunjie, go yourself."

Zhu Chunjie rose and said: "This subject receives the decree."

Watching Zhu Chunjie leave, Zhu Cilang then said to Wu Xiang with a smile: "Venerable Father-in-law, Our proposal to Dorgon's daughter is in fact also to pave the way for Sanmei. Dorgon's daughter is of exalted status, naturally a fitting candidate for primary consort. Then Lady Ning and Sanmei can only be placed lower, as cairen. Once Our betrothal to Donggo falls through, We shall raise Sanmei to primary consort!"

This was the truth from the heart. From the very beginning, Zhu Cilang had decided that the sweet and naive Wu Sanmei would be his primary consort. For with her as primary consort, that traitor Wu Sangui would not have an easy time among the Tartars!

Wu Xiang immediately rose to express his thanks upon hearing this. Zhu Cilang waved his hand and said: "We and Sanmei are of one heart and mind; the position of primary consort belongs to none but her. Even if she cannot be made primary consort for the time being, the wedding should still be held. Let it be held on Haisha Island, so that everyone can share in the joy. What does Venerable Father-in-law think?"

(End of Chapter)