[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-ming":3,"chapter-stealing-ming-stealing-ming-chapter-282":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},1220899,1614,"Chapter 282: Section Thirty-Nine: The Emperor's Heart","stealing-ming-chapter-282",282,"\u003Cp>Over the past few years, quite a few Licentiates and Provincial Graduates had written verse and rhapsodies for Huang Shi, but never as many as this year. Some singing girls selected a few pieces from among them and set them to music, and they began to be sung in the entertainment quarters, where they were very well received.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A single man has fought his way across three thousand li; a single sword can hold back a million soldiers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a wineshop, a man dressed like a Licentiate let out a long sigh of admiration. Although he had heard many poems and lyrics, this Licentiate felt that only this line by Wang Wei could fully convey Huang Shi's heroic and daring spirit. This Licentiate had also recently taken to wearing a long sword at his waist; from time to time he would draw the blade from its scabbard to look at it, then thrust it back and continue drinking. A moment later he would draw the sword out to examine it again, repeating this over and over without end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Huang Shi's legend was mentioned, these gathered scholars — especially the young students — would each and every one demand the strongest, fieriest liquor. Only this, they said, could match the spirit of Huang Shi braving Liaoyang alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They say that in life there is no greater joy than having one's name inscribed on the golden roster of the imperial examination. But in my humble opinion, even winning the title of Principal Graduate could hardly compare to the glory Grand Commander Huang enjoys today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting in the upper floor of the wineshop, listening to the new songs composed for Huang Shi, drinking the fierce liquor that celebrated Huang Shi's great deeds, watching the performers who filled the capital, and imagining the magnificent scene of these stirring tales being sung across the land — a student finally voiced this heartfelt lament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed. To be able to render such service to the state and establish such merit as Grand Commander Huang — that would be enough to satisfy a man for a lifetime.\" Another young scholar was clearly an admirer of Huang Shi. He abruptly drew his long sword and placed it heavily on the tabletop, his left hand steadying the hilt while his right hand drummed rhythmically on the blade, making the long sword emit a continuous dragon's hum. The scholar first raised his voice in a heroic song, then spoke to those around him with fervent passion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen, you may not know this, but I once had the honor of meeting Grand Commander Huang face to face. Last year, when Grand Commander Huang came to the capital, I was fortunate enough to see his true countenance in a wineshop. At that time, hearing Grand Commander Huang speak of the many heroes of our Great Ming's Liaodong, my heart surged with emotion. Not knowing then that it was Grand Commander Huang, I blurted out: 'How I wish I could sprout wings and fly to Liaodong, to offer my service before the standard of His Excellency Huang, my lofty ambition to feast ravenously on the flesh of the northern barbarians, and to laugh and talk while thirstily drinking the blood of the Xiongnu.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the gazes cast his way — some envious, some complex — the scholar drummed his fingers on the long sword in his hand once more. Amid the ringing metallic tones, he smiled and continued: \"Ever since that last meeting with Grand Commander Huang, I have ceased to carry a folding fan. A few days ago, I made my decision: I will not sit for next year's imperial examination. I shall take up my sword and present myself at the army's gate, to go to Liaodong and assist Grand Commander Huang in military affairs. With a body capable of achievement, I will do things of great achievement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire table had been listening intently to this scholar's words. When he finished speaking, not only the scholars at his own table, but also the students at several surrounding tables on this floor fell silent, every person listening to his heroic and impassioned speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the wineshop had been silent for a moment, a young student at a neighboring table suddenly shoved his table forcefully; the bench beneath him scraped against the floor of the quiet wineshop with a clear creaking sound. The young man strode over and bowed deeply from the waist to the speaking scholar: \"I am Li Changlin, from Zhejiang. In the fifth year of the Tianqi reign, I placed sixth in the Quzhou Prefectural College Examination. May I ask how I should address you, brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scholar who had spoken earlier hurriedly rose to his feet and returned the bow with equal respect: \"So it is Brother Li. I am Wang Hanchen. In the third year of the Tianqi reign, I placed fifth in the Runan Prefectural College Examination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Changlin did not stand on further ceremony. Under the gaze of the crowd, he declared with fervor: \"Brother Wang's words have deeply touched my heart. I too wish to go to Liaodong. Would Brother Wang be willing to travel together as companions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hanchen, hearing this, was overjoyed and replied: \"To travel with Brother Li — I could ask for nothing more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am Zhao Jingzhi. In the second year of the Tianqi reign, I placed first in the Tongzhou College Examination in Shaanxi.\" Another man broke the silence with a loud voice. Zhao Jingzhi arrived as his voice did, cupping his hands toward the first two with a smile: \"If you two kind brothers do not scorn my company, I too beg to travel with you to Liaodong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Wang Hanchen and Li Changlin could reply, a clamor of voices suddenly erupted across the upper floor:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three kind brothers — count me in as well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen, I also wish to go with you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the central figure of these scholars' heated discussion was still racking his brains over silver. Today, after receiving a group of Shandong merchants, Huang Shi did not even wait for Liu Qingyang to settle into his seat before hurriedly asking: \"Brother Liu, what do you make of this matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingyang had not long returned from Japan. Originally, the main purpose of his return was to communicate with Bao Bowen, so that production and sales could be better coordinated. But shortly after Liu Qingyang returned, he encountered merchants coming to Changsheng Island to buy on credit, which gave him a particular idea, and he made a suggestion to Huang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchants Liu Qingyang accompanied Huang Shi to meet today were all creditors of the Dongjiang main command. After Mao Wenlong had conducted trade for three years under imperial decree, the Dongjiang command had already accumulated a colossal debt of over a million taels of silver, and this figure was still steadily increasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, no matter who manages the Dongjiang trading operations, they will lose money. This is not a question of Marshal Mao's ability or anyone else's ability, but because the annual silver and grain the court allocates to our Dongjiang command is simply not enough to feed everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the founding of the Dongjiang command, apart from various imperial bestowals, the command received two hundred thousand each of silver and grain annually. In order to purchase supplies, Mao Wenlong had issued military scrip indiscriminately, and the natural result was a mountain of debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This practice had indeed relieved the urgent needs of the Dongjiang command, allowing more Dongjiang refugees to eat their fill. But a large number of patriotic merchants suffered tremendous harm as a result; many merchants had nowhere to seek redress and were even ruined completely. Some of them found their way to Changsheng Island, hoping that the Left Auxiliary of the Dongjiang command would honor the main command's military scrip. Although Huang Shi could not bear it in his heart, he dared not take up this hot potato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Huang Shi honored the main command's military scrip, it would be tantamount to shouldering the enormous burden of those hundreds of thousands of mouths on behalf of the main command. Once word spread, more and more merchants would surely find their way to Changsheng Island, and the meager economic strength of the Left Auxiliary would not be nearly enough to sustain the main command. Yet although Huang Shi refused to exchange the main command's scrip, he felt some pity in his heart, so he ordered that such merchants be given some accommodation, allowing them to take goods on credit from Changsheng Island to sell back in Shandong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Huang Shi lay out his concerns, Liu Qingyang nodded and said: \"What my lord says is entirely correct. Your subordinate is not unaware of my lord's difficulties, nor am I asking my lord to assume all the debts of the Dongjiang main command. It is only that your subordinate believes that among these merchants, many are loyal to the sovereign and love the nation, and many bear goodwill toward our Dongjiang command. To let them lose their family fortunes and property — your subordinate thinks this is not right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What Brother Liu says is very good. If these merchants' family wealth is damaged, I feel it neither accords with the Heavenly Dao of good being rewarded with good, nor does it benefit the prestige of our Dongjiang command. Does Brother Liu already have some good plan in mind? Then speak quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi listened carefully to Liu Qingyang's proposal. He suggested that the Left Auxiliary of the Dongjiang command identify those patriotic merchants who had previously helped the main command, and based on their historical contributions to the Dongjiang command, grant them certain loans to recoup their losses. At the same time, they should coordinate with the civil officials in Shandong to sign formal loan documents at the Dengzhou prefectural office, to prevent anyone from walking away with the Left Auxiliary's silver for nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi felt this idea was feasible. Among these merchants who had nowhere to seek debt repayment was even Ninth Master Zhu, whom he had met in the capital. And a proprietor named Gu Lu was one of the people Huang Shi had rescued at Juehua. In any case, Huang Shi believed that these merchants' patriotic fervor deserved to be rewarded, not to mention that this might also cultivate a merchant group friendly to Changsheng Island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, I agree. Brother Liu, you go and take charge of drafting a set of loan regulations. Hmm, this lending should have a name — let's call it a 'loan.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the third day of the ninth month of the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, in the capital, within the Forbidden City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent days, Tianqi had also experienced a process that went from great shock to great joy. When he first saw the memorial Huang Shi had Wu Mu submit on his behalf, Tianqi was so startled that he nearly overturned the imperial desk. He felt that the reason Huang Shi had gone to Liaoyang to fight to the death in a fit of pique was entirely because his own distrust had wounded the heart of this great general. Subsequently, Tianqi vented his anger on Wei Zhongxian, dragging old Wei out and berating him thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after his anger passed, the kind-hearted Tianqi Emperor began to reproach himself. He felt that he had once again wounded his loyal old servant. As a result, he found a random excuse to reward Wei Zhongxian with several dozen taels of silver. Having compensated Wei Zhongxian, whenever Tianqi thought of how Huang Shi's life or death was still unknown, he was so distressed that he could not even eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After longing for it as one longs for the stars and the moon, Tianqi finally received word of Huang Shi's safe return, along with Huang Shi's report claiming to have personally slain Nurhaci. When this intelligence first arrived, the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial all raised doubts one after another about whether Huang Shi's account was reliable, because the story was simply too shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Senior Grand Secretary, Gu Bingqian, was utterly unable to imagine the scene at the time. Casting aside the image of the Great Buddha he always maintained, he attacked Huang Shi's report with fierce rhetoric before Tianqi: Penetrating deep into enemy territory was one thing; encountering Nurhaci after penetrating deep into enemy territory might still be barely plausible; but after encountering Nurhaci, for the opponent to be so lacking in defenses was simply too hard to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Huang Shi's report, he had not only killed Nurhaci but had also withdrawn unscathed. Most astonishingly, he had even calmly and unhurriedly brought back the Second Miss Zhao from right under the enemy's nose — this was truly a terrifying display of composure, wisdom, and daring. The Great Buddha Gu very imprudently declared to Tianqi: \"Commander Huang must have committed some act in Liaoyang that disgraced the dignity of the imperial court, and in desperation, recklessly fabricated this tale to try to exonerate himself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Tianqi inwardly somewhat agreed with Senior Grand Secretary Gu's opinion, but he was still very pleased. He vigorously defended Huang Shi before the Grand Secretariat, and Tianqi even declared publicly: \"Men are not sages — who can be without fault! Even if Commander Huang has caused some minor trouble this time, it was I who erred first. Now that Commander Huang has returned safely, it is already a blessing from Heaven. This must be Heaven unwilling to sever one of my arms, and so has returned him to me. I have not even had time to rejoice fully — how could I punish him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Tianqi suppressed the surging criticism from the Grand Secretariat than the first reports of Nurhaci's death arrived. The utterly shocked Great Ming court issued a flurry of edicts, ordering the Eastern Depot, the Western Depot, the Inner Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Liaodong Regional Military Commission to act simultaneously, charging them to ascertain the time and cause of Nurhaci's death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the three depots and one guard could set out, several reports were submitted one after another. Although the reported causes of death varied, the time was basically around the tenth day of the eighth month. Under the influence of the rumors Huang Shi had spread in advance, fully half of the reports stated bluntly: Nurhaci died on the ninth day of the eighth month at Huang Shi's hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Ming court also discovered many unusual actions on the Later Jin side. After Nurhaci's death, the Later Jin seemed to have been thrown into tremendous upheaval. Several Beile forced Nurhaci's primary consort to commit suicide, and the Later Jin also conducted a chaotic investigation of spies for many days, apparently believing that Huang Shi had important secret agents close to Nurhaci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond this, the Later Jin side also did its utmost to refute the rumors, strenuously denying that Nurhaci had ever returned to Liaoyang. But the Mongolians did not believe the statements of the Later Jin leadership at all. Even among the Later Jin's own Eight Banners, many believed that Nurhaci had died at Huang Shi's hands. The Han troops and bondservants under Later Jin rule were also fearful and unsettled. The number of people fleeing to Ming-controlled areas surged that month, and they all said with one voice: Nurhaci died at Huang Shi's hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand Secretary, what do you think?\" Tianqi's mood lately had been exceedingly good; he rarely even went to do his carpentry anymore. Coming to court these days to read the memorials clearly brought the young emperor greater pleasure. Now, smiling broadly, he pointed out several newly arrived memorials to Senior Grand Secretary Gu, his satisfaction written all over his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Gu inclined his body and took the memorials from the tray held by a eunuch, then sat steadily on his stool and read them carefully. The other two Grand Secretaries were each given a copy to read as well. Wei Zhongxian, still maintaining his appearance of \"loyal, diligent, stern, and meticulous,\" stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, motionless behind Tianqi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Bingqian exchanged glances with the other two Grand Secretaries. They all saw confirmation in each other's faces, and the three men nodded in unspoken agreement. Having made up his mind, Gu Bingqian tremblingly placed the memorials back onto the tray, laid both hands flat on his knees, and said slowly in a drawn-out tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that this matter is highly suspicious. Although the Jian rebels insist that the old slave died on the road, two days after Commander Huang left Liaoyang, if that were truly the case, how could Commander Huang have known two days in advance that the old slave would die? Moreover, Commander Huang sent out his report as soon as he returned to Gaizhou, which was no later than the tenth day of the eighth month, at a location several hundred li from Shenyang. If one says that Commander Huang could foretell the future, this old minister absolutely cannot believe it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After patiently listening to Senior Grand Secretary Gu deliver this long speech, Tianqi realized that the Senior Grand Secretary still had not given a definitive conclusion. He pressed impatiently: \"Then does the Grand Secretary believe that what Commander Huang reported is true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old minister believes that what the Jian rebels say is absolutely not to be trusted. Although Commander Huang's report is shocking, in this old minister's humble opinion, it is very likely that the old slave was indeed slain by Commander Huang, and that what slowly traveled along the road was merely a body double. Otherwise, how could there be such a coincidence in the world?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha ha, what the Grand Secretary says exactly matches my own thoughts.\" Tianqi clapped his hands and laughed aloud. Coming to court lately was indeed far more interesting than carpentry; each day passed more satisfyingly than the last. \"Since that is the case, let the Grand Secretariat deliberate on how Commander Huang should be rewarded. After drafting the rescript, send it to the Directorate of Ceremonial for endorsement in red. Ha ha — whatever you draft, I will not reject it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Ding Shaoshi sharply cried out: \"Your Majesty, this absolutely must not be done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianqi looked toward Vice Grand Secretary Ding in surprise: \"Does Lord Ding still find it suspicious that Commander Huang slew the old slave?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the emperor's tone was surprised, there was no anger in it. From the other side, Feng Quan also interjected: \"Your Majesty, according to the ancestral institutions of our dynasty, the evaluation of military merit requires the presentation of a severed head. Today, Commander Huang was unable to bring back the old slave's head. In the matter of deliberating this military merit, your ministers truly dare not obey the imperial command.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Bingqian and Ding Shaoshi immediately joined in unison: \"Your ministers dare not obey the imperial command.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianqi lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then raised his head again and said: \"Gentlemen, Commander Huang simply could not have carried the old slave's head out of Liaoyang this time. Do you not also believe that it was Commander Huang who slew the old slave? Can we not exercise discretion in evaluating the merit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\" Feng Quan said decisively. Though his head was lowered, his tone was impassioned: \"Your Majesty, your humble minister also believes that it was Commander Huang who slew the old slave. Your humble minister also greatly admires Commander Huang's courage. But this precedent absolutely must not be set.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Shaoshi on the other side also rallied his energy and loudly seconded: \"Your Majesty, your humble minister believes that Lord Feng is correct. If this precedent is set for Commander Huang today, then starting tomorrow, your minister fears there will be an endless stream of people claiming to have slain some Jian chieftain, seeking advancement through luck. After all, even if there is no proof, one can always say it was a severe wound rather than a kill. And those Jian chieftains are bound to fall ill or die of old age eventually. If some Jian chieftain happens to die, do we reward those who previously claimed to have killed him or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Shaoshi's meaning was very clear: if they rewarded Huang Shi today, then inevitably some would try their luck. With so many officers and soldiers in Liaodong and Liaoxi, if every day people claimed to have slain a slave chieftain, there could be several hundred claims a day. Some would surely hit the mark, and most likely more than one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tianqi hesitate, Ding Shaoshi pressed his advantage: \"Your Majesty, the ancestral institutions evaluate military merit based on severed heads. With a head, there is merit; without a head, there is none. This is not without reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianqi understood that the Grand Secretaries' argument was reasonable, but he still felt somewhat displeased in his heart. He said sheepishly: \"Very well, I understand. It is just that I feel a little aggrieved on Commander Huang's behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Majesty is brilliant and wise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Shaoshi offered this flattery, and then he heard Gu Bingqian cough lightly. The three Grand Secretaries rose solemnly together and bowed down in unison toward Tianqi on the imperial throne: \"Your humble ministers congratulate His Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Senior Grand Secretary Gu became radiant and animated, his usual Buddha-like demeanor cast off to the Isle of Java. With dancing brows and beaming face, he said to Tianqi: \"Your Majesty, Marshal Huang, with a lone sword and an iron will, ventured into an unfathomable tiger's den, slew the enemy chieftain amid ten thousand troops, and displayed our national might before our tributaries. Since the Three Dynasties, this old minister has never heard of such a fierce general.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A fierce general like Marshal Huang — even under the sage kings of the Three Dynasties, this humble minister has never heard of one.\" As the saying goes, when a sage appears in the world, renowned ministers and fine generals are reincarnated. Since the realm possesses such a fierce general as Huang Shi, it naturally proves the profound virtue of Tianqi. Feng Quan took the flattery a step further, directly comparing Tianqi to the sage kings of the Three Dynasties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, good, good.\" The young Emperor was suddenly delighted again. He pondered inwardly: just how should he compensate Huang Shi?\u003C\u002Fp>",3766,"2026-06-04T07:54:54.057Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","2e75c8c3c4aa94252477a65af15b221147423f27d6353d1f2fa92b73ad05fe02","stealing-ming-chapter-283","stealing-ming-chapter-281",323,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-ming-cover.jpg"]