[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-ming":3,"chapter-stealing-ming-stealing-ming-chapter-288":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},1220905,1614,"Chapter 288: Section 45: A Dilemma","stealing-ming-chapter-288",288,"\u003Cp>Hong Taiji dragged Manggūltai into a corner of the tent and hissed, \"Fifth Brother, what in the world are you thinking? We have no path back anymore!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Manggūltai did not argue, his face still showed a look of resentment, and he slowly turned his head away, avoiding Hong Taiji's gaze, as if still considering the question of surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Taiji anxiously tugged at him again, pulling Manggūltai's attention back to his side, and said with a heavier tone: \"Fifth Brother, over all these years we have killed so many Han people, and sold millions of Han women to the Mongols. We have no way back. Mao Wenlong and we share a hatred deep as the sea. If we truly let him lead the Dongjiang Army back to Liaodong, once he has a firm footing he will never give us an easy time. The Ming imperial court will also certainly pretend not to see the border clashes. We would just be waiting to die!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Later Jin surrendered, at most they could only keep the Jianzhou settlement area that the Ming had assigned to them a hundred years ago. The Dongjiang Garrison currently had the most battle achievements, and there were many Liaodong natives in the army. The Dongjiang generals would certainly take over most of the Liaodong territory. They were also close to Jianzhou, and would certainly become the new neighbors of the Later Jin regime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Wenlong had over three hundred clansmen killed by Nurhaci. Now, aside from one son, he only had his nephew Mao Chengzuo left by his side. The relatives left in Liaodong by Chen Jisheng and other senior Dongjiang officers had also mostly been found and killed by Nurhaci. Now, with the Dongjiang Army in Korea and the Later Jin Army occupying central Liao, Mao Wenlong and the others naturally could do nothing to them. But if the Dongjiang Army were allowed to return to the central Liao plains, and the Later Jin retreated into the deep mountains and old forests of Jianzhou, then once the Dongjiang Army's wings were fully grown, let alone trading daily necessities with the Later Jin, it would be a strange thing if they didn't come looking for a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manggūltai sniffled and silently lowered his head. Hong Taiji fiercely shook his arm twice, forcing Manggūltai to lift his head and look at him: \"If we surrender, what about the people under our banners? What will they eat? If we retreat to Jianzhou, who would still be willing to trade with us? The Han people of Liaodong will never forget this hatred. The moment we take that first step back, there will be no end to it. Surrender is a dead end. We must establish an independent state.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manggūltai nodded dejectedly: \"Yes. But I feel that fighting on is also a dead end. Huang Shi will have to come back sooner or later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not so!\" Hong Taiji loudly retorted with disapproval: \"Huang Shi has been transferred to the south. I have thought it through carefully. He should not think of returning within ten years, perhaps he will never return in this lifetime. First, Huang Shi has gone to the southwest of the Ming state, an unfamiliar place with no familiar faces. The chaos there will take him several years to pacify. Second, even if his luck is especially good and he pacifies it, that will only make him more feared and envied. They will absolutely not transfer him back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Manggūltai's bewildered eyes, Hong Taiji knew he had to rouse his courage, because the strategic situation of the Later Jin was already far too perilous, and everyone internally had to give their all. Hong Taiji took a deep breath:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifth Brother, think carefully. Why would the Ming state transfer Huang Shi away? Wasn't it because the civil officials began to fear and envy him? So they wanted to find some trouble for him and knock down his prestige a bit. I'd wager that nine times out of ten, the Ming civil officials will trip him up. That's why I say he most likely won't be able to pacify the chaos in the Ming southwest, and thus he certainly won't be able to return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manggūltai quickly asked: \"Just now you clearly said that he might very well pacify the chaos in one stroke due to good luck. Hmm, I think there's a great possibility of that, because Huang Shi is not someone who can be measured by common sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. I did say that. But in that case, he would be even less likely to return. The Ming civil officials... take a rat like Yuan Chonghuan, for example. Right now they are already green with envy over the achievements of Huang Shi and Mao Wenlong. If Huang Shi truly pacifies the southwest, won't they be driven mad with jealousy? If they then transferred Huang Shi back, where would that nest of Ming civil-official rats put their faces? Wherever Huang Shi goes, that place becomes peaceful; wherever he leaves, that place falls into chaos. The more capable he is, doesn't that just make that gang of rats look all the more incompetent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Hong Taiji gave a self-deprecating laugh, because he had just realized that he had unconsciously categorized the Later Jin regime among the ranks of those Huang Shi was capable of pacifying. But Hong Taiji immediately put on an expression brimming with confidence again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifth Brother. Better to rely on oneself than to beg others. Only if we work hard ourselves, making it so the Ming cannot chew us up, will we have a path to survival. No matter how formidable Huang Shi is, he only has these ten thousand troops. The Ming state will not allow a military officer to possess too powerful a military force. As long as we can pull all those Mongols in, gathering one hundred thousand, even two hundred thousand armored soldiers, then even if Huang Shi truly returns, we will not fear him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manggūltai muttered somewhat dissatisfiedly: \"This is too dangerous. You are pinning all your hopes on the Ming civil officials, as if they are all a bunch of petty men who cannot see beyond their noses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Taiji stared at Manggūltai's eyes with a bright gaze, raised his voice, and pressed the question again: \"Are they not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah—\" Manggūltai let out a long sigh. The muscles that had been tensed all over his body suddenly relaxed, as if he had lost the drive to argue any further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the Ming state could have pulled together in the same boat, even Father Khan would have been powerless to reverse the tide at the Battle of Sarhu. If the Ming state could have united in purpose, we would have long ago been starved to death in the mountains by Xiong Tingbi. If the Ming state did not undermine each other, we could never have captured Guangning. If the Ming state could have harmony between its civil and military officials, they would not have given Mao Wenlong only two hundred thousand in military funds, nor would they have transferred Huang Shi away!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Taiji stepped back, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace everything within the tent, his palms tilted upward, the smile on his face carrying an endless mockery: \"And the result? The Ming's Liaodong Garrison was destroyed, Xiong Tingbi's head was passed around the Nine Frontier Garrisons, Mao Wenlong can only hole up in Korea, Huang Shi has been transferred to Fujian, and we—are still the masters of Liaoyang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chuckling a few times, Hong Taiji withdrew his arms and took another step forward: \"Fifth Brother, I guarantee you, those civil officials of the Ming state would rather negotiate peace with us in the end than ever allow Huang Shi to return and earn more military merit! I can see right through them at a single glance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manggūltai let out another long sigh. He rubbed his head and said helplessly: \"Every time you speak so convincingly. With others, it's fine, but whenever it involves Huang Shi, things never turn out that way. I've grown afraid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifth Brother, trust me once more. We must persevere. We will certainly find our way out of this predicament.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>November 16th, the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, Zhangsheng Island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time Liu Qingyang wrote to say that everything was progressing smoothly, Bao Bowen knew that his time remaining on Zhangsheng Island would not be much longer. A few days ago, the fast ships from Fujian arrived ahead of schedule at Zhangsheng Island; the fleet responsible for the relocation had already made its return voyage. The orders Huang Shi gave Bao Bowen were also not beyond his expectations: all the workers and machinery on Zhangsheng Island were to be moved to Fujian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this period, the strict systems of Zhangsheng Island once again demonstrated their excellent effectiveness. Every day, the dependents of military households were sent onto the road south. All military households and soldiers were graded, and the Zhangsheng Island authorities decided their movements based on their importance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large numbers of combat troops would march south along the Grand Canal under the leadership of their officers. Since they were not critically important to production work, it did not matter much if they were delayed for some time on the road. Moreover, undertaking a long-distance march was also meaningful for training the troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from seventy percent of the combat troops who would travel by land, the most ordinary male members of military households and their dependents would also not be transported by sea. Before the sea vessels returned, Bao Bowen would complete most of the dispatch work. Only the last batch of skilled workers persisting in production would remain on the island. After standing their last shift, these workers would board the ships along with the machinery dismantled from Zhongdao and head to Fujian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Huang Shi's plan, the entire relocation was to be completed within three months. That meant, no later than the end of November, the last group of people on Zhangsheng Island would set out, and they were to arrive in Fujian before the new year and swiftly resume production. Setting aside the issue of production capacity for the moment, this four-month deadline set by Huang Shi alone was enough to stand peerless across the entire Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For other garrisons to complete a mobilization of this scale, even just ten thousand combat troops would take over four months. As for tens of thousands of military households, it would take at least a year, not to mention the large amount of machinery Zhangsheng Island needed to move. So far, Bao Bowen was very satisfied with the progress of the work. The plans for dismantling the various machine tools and loading them onto ships had also been designed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, after the fleet returned from Fujian, Bao Bowen immediately began loading the ships according to plan. Everything proceeded strictly according to the pre-arranged plan, and the brand-new engineering equipment—pulley blocks—also played a considerable role. The combination of rigorous planning and clever tools saved several more days. According to the current schedule, Bao Bowen estimated that in five days, that is, November 21st of the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, the last group of people from Zhangsheng Island would be able to set off, nearly ten days ahead of the final deadline set by Huang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This month, Zhongdao had produced another eight hundred sets of breastplates. Bao Bowen loaded these armors onto ships bound for Japan. During these days, besides these breastplates, he had also produced fifteen six-pounder cannons. Since there was no need to produce field gun carriages, the production speed of these cannons was faster than normal. According to Huang Shi's orders, they would be left to the Left Associate of the Dongjiang Garrison for use in the defense of fortresses like Fuzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the stability of the Left Associate, Mao Wenlong still recommended Zhang Pan, a veteran Dongjiang officer, as Huang Shi's successor. Now Zhang Pan was already the acting Vice Regional Commander, and would formally take office as soon as the Ministry of War approved the appointment. Before leaving, Huang Shi had given Bao Bowen instructions: if Liu Qingyang could borrow enough silver, the remaining funds in the treasury were to be handed over to Zhang Pan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, not long ago, upon receiving the news from Liu Qingyang that the situation was excellent, Bao Bowen ordered the treasury opened and sent men to deliver the remaining sixty thousand taels of silver to Lushun. This was roughly equivalent to a year and a half of military pay for the Left Associate, and it was thought that it would pleasantly surprise Zhang Pan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all these years, Huang Shi still held deep feelings for the Dongjiang Garrison. Although Zhangsheng Island was also harsh, he was, after all, a man who had crossed over. Huang Shi could conduct maritime trade, develop technology, and was versed in history, thus he could maneuver through the struggles between factions. His old superior Mao Wenlong lacked these abilities, yet had to rescue and provide for even more Liaodong refugees. While feeling admiration, Huang Shi was also willing to do his best to let Marshal Mao live a bit more comfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Wenlong had no particular objection to Huang Shi taking the military households away. Losing tens of thousands of military households meant losing some manpower, but on the other hand, it also meant tens of thousands fewer mouths to feed. Moreover, Mao Wenlong was himself a man from Jiangnan. Fujian had abundant rainfall and was close to the sea, far better than Liaodong, which suffered drought two years out of three. So if some of his subordinates went south to enjoy a better life, he, Mao Wenlong, could naturally only be happy for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>November 17th, the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, Jingcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, the Directorate of Ceremonial sent a memorial from Liaodong that made the Tianqi Emperor frown deeply. Today, he had specifically summoned the Grand Secretariat precisely to inquire about this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the court session began, the Tianqi Emperor asked with some anger: \"My beloved ministers, who exactly permitted the Liaodong Provincial Governor to send someone to offer condolences to the slave chief? I do not recall granting the Liaodong Provincial Governor such permission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhongxian had privately briefed the three members of the Grand Secretariat, so Gu Bingqian was already fully aware of the Emperor's irritation. He said calmly: \"In response to Your Majesty, the Liaodong Provincial Governor indeed did not submit a memorial beforehand. However, this old minister believes that perhaps, as the Liaodong Provincial Governor stated, it was an extraordinary moment, the matter arose urgently, and the opportunity could not be missed, for once lost it would not return. The Liaodong Provincial Governor made a prompt decision, which may be excusable. This old minister also believes that the rights and wrongs of this matter can be discussed further, but the Liaodong Provincial Governor was indeed acting out of a sense of public duty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Bingqian rambled on at length without taking on any substantive responsibility. The Tianqi Emperor had long since thoroughly understood this trait of Gu Bingqian's and was entirely accustomed to it. The young Emperor knew his Senior Grand Secretary was a man who habitually shirked responsibility. The essence of the words he had just spoken was basically to exonerate Yuan Chonghuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the other two Grand Secretaries remain silent, the Tianqi Emperor knew in his heart that they were expressing their agreement with Gu Bingqian's view. Since the Grand Secretariat's opinion was so unified, the Tianqi Emperor immediately felt a lack of confidence, thinking his anger might have been completely unreasonable. Thus, his tone suddenly relaxed: \"The great affairs of state lie in war and ritual. For such a major matter, the Liaodong Provincial Governor should at least have asked for my opinion first. Ah, but what you say also makes sense. Perhaps the situation was urgent at the time and did not permit the Liaodong Provincial Governor to request instructions in advance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since finishing his earlier statement, Gu Bingqian had maintained a posture of looking at his nose, and his nose looking at his heart. He had already contributed once in today's court session. Although the Senior Grand Secretary's rank was high, he had, after all, fired the first shot. Now it was someone else's turn to take the stage. As fellow ministers serving in the same hall, they should share the risks evenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Feng Quan coughed and cleared his throat: \"Your Majesty, Lord Yuan's handling of this matter was somewhat hasty. But Lord Yuan has always been like this—his temperament is a bit rough, yet he is a man who is brave in shouldering responsibilities. The art of war says: 'When a general is in the field, there are orders from the sovereign he may not accept.' Did not Marshal Huang also act on his own authority last time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tianqi Emperor frowned again, concentrated on recalling for a moment, and shook his head: \"That's not right. Last time when Marshal Huang went to Liaoyang without authorization, did you not all urge me to punish him? How is it that this time, when the Liaodong Provincial Governor sent someone to Liaoyang without authorization, you all say it's fine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, last time Marshal Huang was brave, yes, but in the end, he was still just a military man.\" This time it was Ding Shaoshi's turn to act. He raised his thumb and said with a ringing voice: \"But the Liaodong Provincial Governor has read ten thousand volumes and possesses both courage and strategy in his heart! Your Majesty, the Liaodong Provincial Governor's memorial states very clearly: this trip was nominally to offer condolences, but in reality, it was to probe the true situation of the Jianzhou rebels.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Majesty.\" Seeing the wheel turn before his eyes again, Senior Grand Secretary Gu suddenly raised his head, two beams of sharp light shooting from his eyes: \"The envoy sent by the Liaodong Provincial Governor this time was also a man of courage and insight. According to the Liaodong Provincial Governor's memorial, he concluded that 'when eight dogs share one kennel, throwing a bone will surely cause them to bite.' Through a series of careful arrangements, the Liaodong Provincial Governor has successfully caused the sons of the old slave chief to suspect one another, and they will soon begin to slaughter each other.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\" A loud cry from Feng Quan drew the Tianqi Emperor's gaze back. He said with a solemn expression: \"The Liaodong Provincial Governor's memorial also states: He righteously and sternly ordered the Jianzhou slaves to immediately lay down their arms and surrender, to await the court's judgment with their hands bound, causing the sons of the Jianzhou slaves to be greatly terrified!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Majesty.\" Without giving the Tianqi Emperor time to think, Ding Shaoshi followed closely behind Feng Quan and cried out: \"The Liaodong Provincial Governor also said: They have already resolved to accept amnesty, and are even willing to offer up two younger brothers to demonstrate their sincerity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This part from Ding Shaoshi did not exist in the original history. In this timeline, under the military deterrence of Huang Shi, Yuan Chonghuan's memorial after the condolence trip, besides boasting about his own skill in reconnaissance, his use of stratagems to sow discord causing internal chaos among the Eight Banners, and his ordering Hong Taiji to immediately surrender and await punishment, could at least present some tangible results. However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Ding Shaoshi continued: \"The Liaodong Provincial Governor has already written a letter politely declining Hong Taiji's suggestion of offering his younger brother as a hostage, showing trust and the intent to pacify. According to the Liaodong Provincial Governor, upon hearing this, Hong Taiji was so moved that tears streamed down his face, and he profusely extolled the grace and virtue of our Great Ming Celestial Dynasty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, the Liaodong Provincial Governor's might can subdue distant peoples, his virtue can dispel the doubts of the masses, his grace can bind vassal states, and his talent can pierce the hearts of barbarians. Truly, he is a man of both virtue and talent. Were it not for Your Majesty's sagely wisdom, Heaven would surely—\" Gu Bingqian fiercely shook his head to emphasize his tone, causing the flesh on his face to quiver wildly, and bellowed: \"Surely could not have sent down such a fine minister. This old minister humbly offers congratulations to Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Gu Bingqian stood up shakily, intending to kneel and perform the salute. Seeing this, Feng Quan at the side also hurriedly stood up and knelt alongside Senior Grand Secretary Gu, his mouth still praising: \"Your Majesty, since the Jianzhou rebels began their uprising, the state has spent tens of millions on the Liaodong military tax, mobilized over a hundred thousand armored soldiers, and for six tumultuous years could not pacify them. Today, the Liaodong Provincial Governor has pacified them amidst casual conversation, manipulating the Jianzhou rebels like controlling a small child. Truly, this is a wondrous achievement unparalleled through the ages! Your humble minister offers congratulations to Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Ding Shaoshi could not think of any good phrases either, so he could only follow and kneel, straining his neck to shout: \"Your humble minister offers congratulations to Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, alright, all of you rise.\" The Tianqi Emperor waved his hand with a beaming smile, bidding the Grand Secretaries to stand. The clamor from these three men had instantly thrown the Emperor's slight displeasure to the farthest corners of the sky. The more the young Emperor thought about it, the more he felt his earlier anger had indeed been very unreasonable. So he smiled and said to the Grand Secretariat: \"Then draft the rescript. Everything will be handled according to the Liaodong Provincial Governor's wishes. As long as the Jianzhou slaves sincerely surrender and obediently withdraw beyond the border walls, I can spare their lives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the court session, Wei Zhongxian did not say a single word. When the Grand Secretariat drafted the rescript, he also did not interject, but walked alone back to his own room. He summoned the trusted young eunuch who wrote his letters: \"Draft a message. Send a letter to the Liaodong Provincial Governor immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you command, Godfather.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young eunuch swiftly spread out the letter paper, deftly ground the ink, then lifted the brush and dipped it full in the thick ink. He looked up and asked, \"Godfather, what would you have your son write?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhongxian thought for a moment, then said flatly to the young eunuch: \"Tell the Liaodong Provincial Governor that this time, I have taken it upon myself to cover for him in the matter he handled on his own authority. I still trust him. But in all things, caution is paramount. The barbarians cannot be fully trusted; absolutely no mishaps must occur... Hmm. Tell the Liaodong Provincial Governor to settle the Liao affairs quickly, lest delays bring trouble. When the time comes, I will personally petition His Majesty for a reward on his behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twenty-eighth day of the eleventh month, the sixth year of Tianqi. Dengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Liu Qingyang saw off the first maritime trade fleet at the docks. As large amounts of capital began to arrive, the merchants started settling the remaining payments for chartered ships and purchased goods. On the Dark Council's account books, they would soon open dozens more trading firms and countless shops. These merchants already held unified price lists for goods; according to the agreement, they were all required to purchase goods at the unified price. Later, when the specialty products from the south were shipped back, the Dark Council would naturally issue them another unified price list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because these merchants shared unified supply and sales channels, their operating costs would naturally be lower than those of ordinary merchants. However, Liu Qingyang did not intend to maliciously undercut prices. First, he did not yet wish to provoke the hostility of other established firms. Second, with the Dark Council as a unified supply backer, its supporters already possessed an unparalleled advantage in commercial intelligence. Given the Great Ming's means of communication, it was absolutely impossible for any individual enterprise to surpass the Dark Council in speed of response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Huang Shi also received Liu Qingyang's report in Fujian. The figure of two million seven hundred thousand silver taels far exceeded Huang Shi's expectations. Although most of that capital would be used to charter ships and open shops, the profits from maritime trade were simply too high; recouping the investment did not seem like a difficult problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingyang planned to invest eight hundred thousand silver taels in the first round to purchase local products. He suggested first taking the old route of trading with Japan — after all, they were more familiar with it there. Fujian sugar and Zhejiang silk, once shipped to Japan, could all yield profits of over a hundred percent. At the same time, Japan urgently needed ironware and cloth, which Funing Garrison could also produce itself in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Japan's abundant red copper, gold, and silver, when shipped back to the Great Ming, would also bring enormous profits. The problems of sailors and shipping routes could be partly solved with the help of Heidao Yifu, and more sailors could be recruited locally in Fujian — none of this would be a major issue. Moreover, once the goods reached Japan, they could also make use of the Zhangzhou Domain's warehouses and sales channels, so there should not be too much trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there were no cargo losses at sea, those eight hundred thousand taels' worth of goods, once shipped to Japan, could turn into over one million five hundred thousand silver taels within a few months. Then, after purchasing Japanese red copper, gold, and silver and shipping them back, one need not be too surprised if the value exceeded three million taels. Combined with the sales network in Shandong and elsewhere, Huang Shi would certainly be able to turn over his capital within half a year. So, aside from pirates and typhoons, Liu Qingyang could see nothing else that could stop Huang Shi from becoming fabulously wealthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Japan as a country was still too small. If the volume of goods became too large, Huang Shi worried that the Japanese market would quickly become saturated. Therefore, what truly drew Huang Shi's gaze was the Spanish silver. Of course, Huang Shi had absolutely no intention of rashly starting a war with the Spanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this issue, Huang Shi's line of thinking was rather similar to that of the Wanli Emperor, and he knew even more than Wanli did. The silver in Luzon mostly came from South America and Africa. As long as China could not lay its hands on those places, attacking Manila might not necessarily bring any great benefit. It was just that developing friendly neighborly relations with the Spanish was now a bit late, because the powerful Dutch East India Company was also moving into these waters. These Dutchmen were attempting to monopolize the trade between China and the Spanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the Dutch, the pirates on the Min Sea also coveted this maritime Silk Road. They plundered passing merchants, or forced passing merchants to pay tolls. These actions were of course greatly detrimental to the Ming court's fiscal revenues. But although the Fujian Navy did its utmost to exterminate the pirates, the pirates still rose again and again after being suppressed. This was because the profits of maritime trade were simply too alluring. As long as they could successfully carry out a few raids, the pirates could use their plunder to build up a force of over a thousand men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Given the initial scale of the Lu merchants, they probably won't yet attract the attention of the Min merchants, but it's only a matter of time. Soon they will become rivals of the Min merchants. Hmph, many of the great sea merchants turn into Japanese pirates once they're out at sea, or at the very least have countless ties to the pirates — tipping them off, providing them with intelligence, and helping them recruit sailors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi's tone as he spoke to Jin Qiude was extremely harsh, and his chief of staff listened with a grave expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Compared to the Min Sea with its high winds and treacherous waves, our Liao Sea is nothing more than a bathtub. I don't know whether Heidao Yifu's sailors are up to naval combat. But their numbers certainly cannot withstand attrition. Therefore, we must vigorously develop our navy and recruit Fujian sailors locally — men who have been accustomed to great winds and towering waves their entire lives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Grand Commander.\" Jin Qiude expressed agreement with Huang Shi's assessment, but all of this required money: \"My lord, when do you intend to begin recruiting naval personnel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There doesn't seem to be an absolute necessity for it just yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year, Yu Zigao had just driven the Dutch from Penghu, and the Great Ming navy still held some power in these waters for the time being. Huang Shi had already visited Xiamen once. For a military officer of his fame, renowned across the realm, to pay a personal visit still counted as giving Yu Zigao considerable face. Huang Shi and Yu Zigao also conversed quite pleasantly. At least on the surface, things were harmonious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, General Yu's Fujian Navy is being steadily weakened. After repelling the Dutch, the imperial court has already ordered the disbanding of around ten thousand naval personnel at Penghu. These ten thousand sailors seem to have been the most elite batch of soldiers under General Yu's command. As far as I know, seventy to eighty percent of them have turned to piracy. So the strength of the Min Sea pirates is likely already very considerable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi's voice grew lower and lower as he spoke, and the worry between his brows deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, your subordinate ventures to speak boldly.\" From beginning to end, Jin Qiude had opposed Huang Shi's plan to advance rapidly into the southwest. He had always advocated first sending a token small force to Yunnan to fight, while focusing the main effort on Fujian — first consolidating the new base area before considering a large-scale entry into Yunnan: \"Since ancient times, the way of the military has been to first deepen one's roots and secure one's foundation, and only then can one plan for distant objectives. Now, my lord, your footing is not yet steady, you have barely caught your breath, yet you are eager to enter Yunnan to suppress the rebellion. Your subordinate fears that haste makes waste.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\" Huang Shi responded glumly. Training funds would certainly not be ample. If they leaned toward the army, then the navy would surely be severely lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Qiude again brought up his previous suggestion: \"My lord, let us first build our own navy, first free ourselves from dependence on Yu Zigao. Then we can exterminate the sea bandits, expand our strength, until the navy can guarantee the safety of our maritime trade. Only after that should we train our troops on a large scale and dispatch forces to the southwest to suppress the rebellion. That would be the complete and perfect strategy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand your suggestion. But even if we build up the navy, within a year we will still have to send a few thousand soldiers to the southwest to put on a show. And the expenses of these few thousand soldiers out in the field will be enormous, which will likewise hold us back.\" Although Jin Qiude's suggestion was relatively prudent, it would mean Huang Shi fighting a two-front war. While he could only devote part of his energy to dealing with the pirates, he would also have to maintain a force thousands of li away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this way, the pirate suppression campaign on the Min Sea would likely drag on interminably, and the war in the southwest would become even more remote and endless. And before the war here was concluded, that force in the southwest would continue to bleed Funing Garrison dry, tying up Huang Shi's financial resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if the Fujian Navy is powerless to suppress the Min Sea pirates, we can at worst travel a longer stretch of overland route in Zhejiang, which just means slightly lower profits. Judging from Liu Qingyang's accounts, maintaining an expeditionary army of tens of thousands is still more than enough. As for the navy...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi shook his head repeatedly and sighed. The pirates' method was to strike, plunder, and withdraw. The government army's objective was to guarantee the safety of an entire sea area. These two different objectives led to a vast disparity in costs for the two sides: \"A navy truly consumes enormous resources, and it takes vast time and effort. Let us set it aside for now. For the time being, we can only count on General Yu Zigao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the Min Sea pirates were Fujian locals, and their dependence on Min Sea maritime trade was also very strong. Whether leaders or coerced followers, these pirates' resolve to fight the imperial court to the death was probably not very great. Moreover, the pirates' manpower also mainly came from the Fujian mainland. Huang Shi believed that if there were no worries behind him, as long as he fully blockaded the coastline and strictly cut off the pirates' supplies and manpower replenishment, these Min Sea pirates would ultimately be like trees without roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the final analysis, this Min Sea is still easy to deal with. And if I can successfully pacify the She-An Rebellion, then the civil officials at court will no longer have any excuse to prevent me from returning to Liaodong, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord is still worried about Liaodong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can I not be worried? Hmm, the only reason the Grand Secretaries at court can now transfer me to the southwest is that good steel should be used on the blade's edge. They say that annihilating the Jianzhou slaves would take no more effort than blowing away dust, so they send me to deal with the numerous rebel soldiers of She Chongming and An Bangyan. If the southwestern rebellion is pacified, and if the Liao situation changes again, His Majesty will naturally think of me once more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifteenth day of the twelfth month, the sixth year of Tianqi. Liaoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To demonstrate his magnanimity, the Liaodong Provincial Governor of the Ming country has stopped demanding that we send hostages. Last month, I again sent envoys to Ningyuan, beseeching the Ming country's Liaodong Provincial Governor to raise his hand high in mercy and grant our people a path to survival, to demonstrate the benevolent heart of the Heavenly Court, and to prove that the superior state truly wishes to offer us amnesty... The Ming country's Liaodong Provincial Governor agreed. He has already ceased paying bounties to the Mongols for the heads of our people!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This month, Yuan Chonghuan again sent two successive delegations of envoys to Liaoyang. Since the tenth month of the sixth year of Tianqi, envoys had been flowing continuously between Liaoyang and Ningyuan. Since the official road between Liaoyang and Ningyuan always had envoys galloping at full speed, private trade between the various Mongol tribes and the Later Jin had also recovered somewhat. Many Mongol tribal chieftains once again turned a blind eye to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji swept a smug glance around the room at his brothers and loudly recounted the diplomatic achievements with the Great Ming over the past month or so: \"After the Ming country's Liaodong Provincial Governor agreed to our demands, he again sent men to proclaim the Ming country's state letter, demanding that we turn back as soon as possible, lest we again provoke the Ming country's thunderous wrath. Then he brought out that old routine of combining kindness with severity, exhorting us that turning back means reaching the shore, that the Ming country will certainly let bygones be bygones and absolutely will not settle accounts after the fact, telling us to lay down all our worries and need not fear any future trouble whatsoever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahahaha,\" Huang Taiji burst into a fit of ecstatic laughter as he spoke of this. When that state letter arrived, Huang Taiji personally went ten li outside Liaoyang to welcome it, and he arranged the ceremony for Yuan Chonghuan's envoy to enter the city on an extremely grand scale: \"Fifth Brother, it's truly a pity you weren't there. You really should have seen the expressions on the Bayan Mongol herders. Haha, they had just received the Liaodong Provincial Governor's proclamation that head bounties would no longer be paid, and then they heard the Ming country announce that it would let bygones be bygones with us. Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang Gurtai also gave a cold laugh. The day before yesterday, when Yuan Chonghuan's letter arrived, he happened to be out hunting. Recently, Liaoyang had gradually become lively again. At the end of the eleventh month, following Yuan Chonghuan's mourning of Nurhaci, the chieftain of the Khorchin Mongols had suddenly recovered from his illness. He came personally to Liaoyang to mourn his old in-law, and deeply apologized for coming to mourn Nurhaci only after the Ming country had done so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, impoverished Mongol herders had also begun defecting to the central Liao plains again. Huang Taiji had already ordered the reestablishment of the Mongol Left Wing: \"At the end of last month, we just obtained the sworn oaths of the twelve tribes of the Kharchin Mongols. They agreed never again to oppose our Great Jin, as long as we are willing to sell them salt at low prices. At the beginning of this month, we obtained non-aggression oaths from the various Khalkha Mongol tribes. The day before yesterday, after receiving the Ming country's Liaodong Provincial Governor's state letter, I have already sent men to see Lin Danhan, hoping he can agree to a temporary truce with us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daišan gently stroked the rat-like whiskers under his chin, narrowed his eyes, and said: \"Joseon, the Mongols, and our Great Jin originally had no enmity. The reason they have bitterly made trouble for our Great Jin is merely that they answered the Ming country's call. It is like friends invited to help in a fight who are bleeding and sweating, while the principal himself keeps shrinking back... What exactly is this Ming country's Liaodong Provincial Governor thinking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji reined in his smile and said with a solemn expression: \"The Ming country's Liaodong Provincial Governor is far too eager to achieve merit. Look at how he sends envoys trip after trip — his urgent mood is plain to see. He wants too badly to make this matter succeed, and so his mind is in disarray.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, a pitiable man too. It saddens my heart just to hear of it.\" Amin, who had been silent for a long while, suddenly spoke up, wearing an expression of compassion for all: \"This Yuan Chonghuan cannot fight a battle, yet wants to achieve merit. Having gone mad with desire, he can only stake everything on a gamble. And as luck would have it, he's run into our Fourth Beile. Ah, I truly pity him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If my prediction is not wrong, when Lin Danhan hears this news, even if he is not utterly disheartened, he will be beset with worries. After all, fighting wars means people die. If there isn't even bounty silver, then why should Lin Danhan fight to the death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, Mao Wenlong is already isolated and without support.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precisely. We must mobilize every soldier we can mobilize and attack Dongjiangzhen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji did not hesitate at all and directly stated his plan: \"At present, our Manchu Eight Banners, plus the Mongol Left and Right Wings, total nearly thirty thousand armored soldiers. We will send all thirty thousand of these men to invade Joseon. At the same time, I also intend to issue an order that any Han who can achieve military merit will immediately be granted land and official rank. Those with outstanding achievements may even directly enter the Banners.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers under Mao Wenlong with full armor probably numbered less than ten thousand. Even among his cavalry, at most thirty percent had armor. His grain reserves were pitifully small, and his weapons were all very crude. No one believed he could long withstand thirty thousand Later Jin armored soldiers. However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other three Beile all watched Huang Taiji in silence. Among them, Mang Gurtai was still the most impatient and was the first to jump out: \"Not leaving a single soldier behind? Then what if someone comes to raid our home?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Danhan will certainly hesitate repeatedly and will only send troops once the situation becomes clear. By the time he has thought it through and intends to dispatch troops, the Khorchin Mongols on that route can hold out for a while. Gaizhou originally had very few troops, and Huang Shi has just left. The Left Association of Dongjiangzhen is in complete chaos. I estimate they probably don't have enough grain and fodder to attack Liaoyang at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what about Liaoxi? The Ming country's Guan-Ning Army has thirty-five field battalions and seventy thousand combat soldiers, with grain and fodder piled up like mountains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji laughed uproariously: \"Haha, Yuan Chonghuan is nothing but a rat. Never mind seventy thousand combat soldiers — even seven hundred thousand, even seven million, in the hands of such a rat, what could they accomplish?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After laughing, Huang Taiji rose proudly, pointed at his own chest with utter arrogance, and said: \"With me alone here in Liaoyang, I am worth a hundred thousand crack troops. I shall ensure that Yuan Chonghuan dares not look straight upon the Liao River!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",7021,"2026-06-04T07:54:54.057Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","7fb9925008e5ed1e78ac5ac54f5e4d12231a4542946a55eee317c499955d09ab","stealing-ming-chapter-289","stealing-ming-chapter-287",323,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-ming-cover.jpg"]