[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-ming":3,"chapter-stealing-ming-stealing-ming-chapter-10":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Stealing Ming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1220627,1614,"Chapter 10: Section Nine","stealing-ming-chapter-10",10,"\u003Cp>After rising, Huang Shi studied this most incompetent official in all of Liaodong — a man who had lost a hundred thousand troops and three thousand li of territory. On his bright red official robe were embroidered blue mountains and white cranes. His ten long, pale scholar’s fingers bore meticulously trimmed nails. Beneath a weathered scholar’s long face drifted a graying beard, and in the corners of his crow’s-feet-lined eyes stirred a pair of melancholy eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huang Shi, you have done very well. In addition to your promotion to Company Commander, this Provincial Governor awards you a further ten taels of silver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thank Your Excellency the Provincial Governor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The next time you see Li Yongfang, be sure to set his mind at ease. No man is a sage — who can be without fault? To recognize the lost way and return — no greater good exists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, your humble subordinate will certainly convey that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Provincial Governor and General Sun have moved Li Yongfang with loyalty and righteousness. Since he now feels shame and a desire to turn back to the light, you must treat him with the utmost respect when you see him. In the future he will be the Assistant Regional Commander of Guangning, of higher rank than you. Moreover, do not injure others’ hearts that wish to abandon darkness and seek light.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Excellency the Provincial Governor’s instruction — your humble subordinate engraves it firmly in mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That you sacrificed a few spies to win the trust of the Jian slaves — you need not reproach yourself too harshly. They were all petty merchants, not civil officials or military men. They received no cultured instruction and possessed no heart for loyalty or righteousness. This Provincial Governor judges that they were merely greedy for the court’s rewards and titles. In the end, they have proved worth the price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency discerns the finest detail — your humble subordinate is filled with admiration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In this matter I shall pretend to know nothing. And you must not lightly show your Jian slave border-pass seals to anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Excellency’s insight is profound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Wang Huazhen’s view, the communication channel had shifted from an insecure spy chain to one shielded by Nurhaci’s border-pass seals — a fine bargain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi had originally prepared a set of explanations for why he had acted on his own authority, trading spies for border passes without requesting instructions. But he had not expected Wang Huazhen to ask not a single question, let alone reproach him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi believed that the army should obey orders strictly, and that rewards and punishments should be based on whether orders were carried out to the letter, not on specific outcomes. He therefore added another layer of contempt for Wang Huazhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During both the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, many military orders issued were extremely vague, giving only a broad objective — for example, suppress bandits in a certain area, or oversee military affairs in a certain region. The higher-ups did not concern themselves with specific methods, judging your merit solely on the results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This practice was often criticized as: China lacked the West’s tradition of digitized management. As a netizen, Huang Shi also believed this claim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet what Huang Shi had not considered was that in a vast country like China, without telephones or radio, requesting instructions on every matter was impossible. Thus China’s traditional habit was to give a vague directive and let subordinates exercise their own initiative. As long as the mission was accomplished well, methods could enjoy considerable freedom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Backward technology, combined with China’s territorial expanse, made the command traditions of the Ming dynasty vastly different from those of the small states of Western Europe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Song dynasty had attempted to implement precise management, but the results were extremely poor. The collapse of the Song made the people of the Ming wary, so Ming military orders became vague. The authority to make decisions on the spot was delegated to frontline officials familiar with the situation, thereby greatly improving command efficiency and reaction speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Huang Shi did not realize this. He thought Wang Huazhen simply did not understand the importance of military discipline, and in his heart he mocked him thoroughly once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the month that followed, Huang Shi went to Liaoyang twice more. Li Yongfang told Huang Shi that for now he need not come again, and instructed Huang Shi to return and tell Wang Huazhen: Huang Shi had pretended to agree to open the city gates when the Later Jin attacked Guangning. The Later Jin was extremely pleased and now trusted Huang Shi without the slightest doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the Later Jin’s specific plan?” Wang Huazhen immediately questioned him closely upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reporting to Your Excellency the Provincial Governor, the Later Jin has ordered this humble one to find an opportunity to buy off one or several gate-guarding military officers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. The loss of Shenyang and Liaoyang both came from spies opening the city gates. The Jian slaves wish to repeat their old trick. Hmph.” Wang Huazhen stroked his long beard and laughed coldly, then pressed on: “How do the Jian slaves plan to buy them off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reporting to Your Excellency, the Jian slaves gave this humble one one hundred and fifty taels of silver. They said fifty taels are for this humble one, and one hundred is to be used to buy traitors. They also said if it is not enough, I may ask for more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very good. This one hundred and fifty taels — this Provincial Governor awards it all to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thank Your Excellency.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, since the Jian slaves have arranged for you to open the city gates, then you shall tell the Jian slaves that everything is convenient. That way the Jian slaves will not try to buy off anyone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency’s calculations are divinely brilliant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. And what does Li Yongfang say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He says that in Liaoyang he lacks the strength to act, but once the Jian slaves dispatch their army, he can seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the slave chieftain’s old camp. He will certainly capture the old slave Nurhaci alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent. The Jian slaves’ allotted span is exhausted. Maintain more contact with the Jian slaves, and be sure to firm up their confidence.” Seeing the pacification of the Liaodong rebellion right before his eyes, Wang Huazhen was thoroughly delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Excellency. The Jian slaves also gave this humble one the names of several spies they have in Guangning, and want this humble one to pass messages through them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Submit the list.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Huang Shi immediately presented the list of names. Once Wang Huazhen began reading it, Huang Shi said quietly, “I beg Your Excellency the Provincial Governor’s forgiveness, but this humble one presumes to ask: how does Your Excellency intend to deal with these men?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Traitors — their deaths are not worth regretting. Of course they shall be executed by slow slicing to warn others.” Wang Huazhen cursed bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi could not help but laugh inwardly. The Later Jin had clearly made a huge miscalculation in guessing Wang Huazhen’s reaction based on their own intelligence. It now looked as if the Later Jin’s clever scheme was about to backfire. “This humble one believes it would be better not to alert the snake by startling the grass. Once these traitors are arrested, this humble one will also be exposed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.” Wang Huazhen stroked his beard for a long while before he grasped the twists and turns of this intelligence warfare. He nodded. “Correct. Better not move against them for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency is brilliant. Moreover, this humble one believes we could deliberately let them try to buy off Guangning’s generals. If they succeed, Your Excellency the Provincial Governor will then know who is unreliable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huazhen pondered again for a long moment, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily. “Excellent. This is what is called turning the enemy’s scheme against him. Understood. You may withdraw for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. This humble one takes his leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Sun Degong, who enjoyed Wang Huazhen’s unwavering trust as always, summoned Huang Shi. Huang Shi knew all of Sun Degong’s personal guards — they were, in a manner of speaking, his seniors. Now the way they looked at Huang Shi was filled with envy and jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Degong first ordered everyone around him to withdraw. When only the two of them remained, Sun Degong could not hold back a hearty laugh. “Excellent. Everything is just as Li Yongfang predicted. That old scoundrel Wang Huazhen is determined not to move against the Great Jin’s spies, and for your safety he won’t even place them under surveillance. Now they can freely probe for intelligence and buy off generals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What followed made Huang Shi understand why he was the object of such envy. He had always assumed his Company Commander rank was merely a special reward and that he would not get his own unit anytime soon. But what he heard today delighted him beyond expectation. Sun Degong told him that he would soon receive his own company, and that it would be brought up to full strength as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned out that after Sun Degong’s indirect prodding the day before, Wang Huazhen had also concluded that giving Huang Shi greater authority would help lull the Jian slaves and further aid the unfolding of intelligence work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your subordinate thanks Your Excellency for your nurturing favor.” Huang Shi struggled to suppress the wild joy in his heart. He asked Sun Degong in return, “Your Excellency, but what benefit does this bring to the Khan’s plans? If your subordinate becomes too conspicuous, it may not be a good thing, may it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No fear. The army was going to be replenished anyway; this is not an increase in authorized strength.” Seeing Huang Shi’s puzzled expression, Sun Degong quickly understood what he was thinking and explained. Although, as Huang Shi knew, the Guangning army had not fought any major battle with the Later Jin, a defensive posture and a static border did not mean the troops were not bleeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Guangning army’s territory was in close contact with Later Jin territory, small-scale fighting had never ceased. Add to that the raiding parties Wang Huazhen had been constantly dispatching recently. Over the past few months, the Guangning army had lost roughly a dozen companies, amounting to several dozen officers and over two thousand soldiers. The lost units were mostly borne by the river defense forces and the Guangning army proper — all solid field units — so replenishing these formations was imperative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wang Huazhen is quite appreciative of you, you little bastard. So when I proposed that you command a company, he agreed at once.” Sun Degong narrowed his eyes; he seemed somewhat envious of Huang Shi’s tall, powerful build. Since arriving in the Ming dynasty, Huang Shi himself had felt that his one-meter-eighty-five height was extremely impressive. His thick, sturdy limbs, built on a diet of meat and fish, were beyond the reach of commoners suffering from severe malnutrition and lifelong calcium deficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lately, Sun Degong’s form of address for Huang Shi had been gradually shifting toward “little bastard.” Hearing this insulting term again, Huang Shi secretly rejoiced. He immediately declared that he would firmly keep this unit in Sun Degong’s grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. That is precisely this general’s meaning. Wang Huazhen said that once we crush the Khan, he will make me Assistant Regional Commander. It is not convenient to make a show of it now, but I can first set up the companies that will serve under the Assistant Regional Commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That bookworm is dreaming in broad daylight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, he still thinks this general cares much for the post of Assistant Regional Commander of Guangning.” Sun Degong nodded and rose to his feet. Huang Shi also hurriedly sprang up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come with this general. You were called here today to select your personal guards. A dignified Company Commander with no personal guards at all — that is far too disgraceful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Degong led him to the front courtyard. In the courtyard stood several dozen brawny soldiers. Sun Degong and Huang Shi emerged one after the other. Sun Degong, brimming with pride, swept his gaze over them, then turned his head and said to Huang Shi with a smile, “These men are all crack troops under this general’s command. Company Commander Huang, pick a few to serve as your personal guards.”\u003C\u002Fp>",2090,"2026-06-04T07:54:30.907Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","5dae196af7365c15aa1c964272431195e744cf1771b4b039093c5d1cea712283","stealing-ming-chapter-11","stealing-ming-chapter-9",323,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-ming-cover.jpg"]