[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-ming":3,"chapter-stealing-ming-stealing-ming-chapter-318":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},1220935,1614,"Chapter 318: Section 61: A Heavy Responsibility (Middle) (Part 1)","stealing-ming-chapter-318",318,"\u003Cp>After the Guanlin Army mutinied, Chongzhen finally erupted in fury and ordered a thorough investigation into Yuan Chonghuan's command during the battle for the capital. Soon the command deployments along the Jimen line were laid before the Emperor. Days earlier, when Yuan Chonghuan had let the enemy enter the pass, Chongzhen had personally defended him, saying Yuan Chonghuan had merely \"failed to send out scouts and defenses, allowing the enemy to slip past.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, a few men slipping past one man could be explained; one man slipping past a few men could also be explained — but a few tens of thousands of men slipping past the eyes of a few tens of thousands of men was truly beyond human comprehension. Especially when one added the fact that Yuan Chonghuan had beforehand transferred the armies of Liu Ce and You Shiwei away from the Later Jin army's line of march.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After letting the Later Jin army enter the pass, Yuan Chonghuan and the Guanning Iron Cavalry took a wide detour, ignoring the friendly forces at Tongzhou, Shunyi, and elsewhere, and retreated single-mindedly toward the capital, leaving the districts of the metropolitan region to be trampled by the enemy's iron hooves. After his shock passed, Chongzhen flew into a rage: \"Avoiding the enemy and refusing to fight, allowing the enemy to drive deep — send down the decree: immediately arrest Liu Ce and You Shiwei and bring them to the capital in chains to be thoroughly punished for their crimes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Huachun hesitated a moment, then cautiously offered: \"Your Majesty, they both had written orders from the Grand Coordinator of Ji-Liao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could such absurd orders be carried out?\" Chongzhen was so furious he had lost all reason, forgetting who exactly had backed Yuan Chonghuan, leading to such consequences: \"Avoiding the enemy and refusing to fight is avoiding the enemy and refusing to fight. Throw these two into the imperial prison at once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As decreed.\" Seeing the Emperor so enraged, Cao Huachun did not argue further. Later, both men were convicted and sentenced to death, to be executed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chengzong did not speak up for Yuan Chonghuan. Instead, he proposed to the Emperor that he write a letter to the Guanning Army to recall these rebel troops. Sun Chengzong had been the first Grand Coordinator of Liaodong and had always held prestige within the Guanning Army. Chongzhen's anger subsided slightly: \"In that case, I must trouble you, Elder Grand Secretary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Yuan Chonghuan was arrested and the Guanning Army mutinied, the Later Jin army also began to withdraw from the capital. The next day they lifted the siege and turned toward other directions. After the capital was relieved, a folk rhyme spread among the common people: \"Once Commissioner Yuan was thrown in, the easterners ran half away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Later Jin army had carried off a great many commoners from the outskirts of the capital. Emperor Chongzhen immediately ordered Man Gui to pursue and recover the people. Man Gui, citing that \"the enemy is numerous and our reinforcements few, we must not rashly sally forth,\" hoped the Emperor would rescind his order. Chongzhen would not listen, and conferred upon Man Gui the title of Military Grand Coordinator, giving him full authority to recover the metropolitan region's commoners from the Later Jin army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Man Gui then led the Xuan-Da Army out of the city to pursue the Later Jin army. After a series of bitter engagements, Man Gui recovered several thousand commoners. But after several fierce battles, the arrow wounds on Man Gui's body burst open. Perhaps sweat had triggered an infection in the wounds, or perhaps some filth from his armor had entered them. In the end, he died from the arrow wounds left to him by the Guanning Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Man Gui died of his wounds, the Xuan-Da Army fell into chaos. The Later Jin army raided the camp under cover of night and routed the Xuan-Da Army. After that, there was no longer a single field army capable of pursuing the Later Jin army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twenty-seventh day of the eleventh month, second year of the Chongzhen reign. The capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the news of Man Gui's death reached Beijing, the great hall where Chongzhen sat fell into dead silence once more. Days earlier, at Zhang Heming's suggestion, an urgent messenger had been dispatched to Fujian. The Emperor estimated that Huang Shi would not be able to reach the metropolitan region for another month to a month and a half. This time, almost no one in the Grand Secretariat opposed transferring Huang Shi north. Zhang Heming requested one more month to nurse his leg ailment, after which he would be willing to go forth and take command in Liaodong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still debate within the Grand Secretariat over exactly how long Huang Shi should remain in the metropolitan region. Some believed that once the relief armies drove the Later Jin army back beyond the border walls, the matter would be concluded, and the work thereafter would still have to be done by the Guanning Army. In the words of some members of the Grand Secretariat, they could not have Huang Shi running to wherever trouble arose — that would throw the Great Ming's military garrison system into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, another voice was also beginning to rise in the court. Li Biao and Zhou Yanru of the Donglin Party, along with the unaffiliated Wen Tiren, did not oppose transferring Huang Shi back to the north permanently. They believed that Huang Shi's military registration could be re-subordinated under Liaozhen, and that would settle everything neatly. Moreover, Li Biao, Zhou Yanru, and Wen Tiren all coincidentally hinted that they themselves had the inclination to take command in Liaodong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But another faction felt this was merely changing the surface without changing the substance. They pressed the question: if trouble broke out in the northwest in the future, would Huang Shi and all his subordinates then be transferred to settle under the Qin Army? Qian Longxi and others argued that this was treating the Great Ming's frontier army system as a joke. Moreover, having Huang Shi and a large group of men flying back and forth would easily provoke internal disputes within the regional garrisons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In summary, the strategy for pacifying Liaodong that Chongzhen wished to see still had not the faintest shadow. Right now, the Later Jin army was still ravaging the local populace near the Great Ming capital. Yet the civil officials had been arguing endlessly over hidden dangers to the Great Ming's military garrisons years, decades, even centuries down the line. After hearing all this clamor, Zhang Heming resumed his low profile, keeping absolutely silent about his request to take command in Liaodong, apparently waiting to see which way the wind blew before deciding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence in the court, the ministers began quarreling again, shifting blame onto one another, none of them able to say what exactly should be done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, your servant is willing to recommend Ma Shilong as Left Chief Commissioner, to take unified command of the relief armies and drive the Jian slaves beyond the passes.\" After hearing the grievous news about Man Gui, Sun Chengzong once again proposed to the Emperor the use of Ma Shilong. He stated that Ma Shilong was also a veteran general of many years of campaigning and should understand warfare better than others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chongzhen looked at the other civil officials. Not one of them could utter a single word of substance. So, helplessly, he said: \"Then summon Ma Shilong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Ma Shilong came to see the Son of Heaven, Chongzhen gave him a few words of encouragement, then told him to go discuss military affairs with Sun Chengzong. After they left, Chongzhen looked again at the lifeless great hall, his heart feeling as though blocked by a great stone, unbearably heavy. He could not help thinking to himself: \"Men are not sages — who can be without fault? It seems pacifying Liao will still have to rely on that Yuan barbarian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chongzhen did not voice these words aloud. The disaster Yuan Chonghuan had caused was too great. The court and the public were buzzing with discussion, and many directly accused Yuan Chonghuan of colluding with the enemy. A rumor had even erupted within the capital, with tens of thousands of people wildly spreading the word that Yuan Chonghuan was about to open the gates for the Later Jin army. The Embroidered Uniform Guard rigorously suppressed it, and later caught the man who had started the rumor — a carpenter from the north of the city. The Embroidered Uniform Guard determined that no one was behind him directing him, and Chongzhen then ordered the man released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Chongzhen had nothing good to say, he did not intend to simply dismiss the court session. So the roomful of Grand Secretaries and senior ministers stood silently in their places in a daze, wasting time in a staring contest with the Son of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, Your Majesty —\" Wang Chengen, the Supervising Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial, came running in, cheering with delight. Holding a newly arrived memorial in both hands, his face radiant with joy, he loudly reported: \"Your Majesty, Huang Shi, Regional Commander of Funing Garrison, arrived at Shanhai Pass six days ago and is now leading his troops, traveling day and night, to come to the Emperor's aid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice immediately stirred a buzz among the Grand Secretaries and senior ministers. The officials could not help whispering to one another. They all found Huang Shi's appearance utterly inconceivable. Chongzhen abruptly leapt up from the imperial throne and hurriedly took the memorial to read it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi first explained why he had appeared in Shandong, then offered apologies for having lost his way on the sea. Huang Shi stated that his army lacked sufficient supplies and that the soldiers needed rest to build up their strength, so they could not set out for the capital immediately. Beyond that, Huang Shi also found some other excuses for himself — for example, that his army had already suffered mass straggling by the time it reached Shandong, and after losing its way on the Bohai Sea, the army had scattered even further. Upon reaching Shanhai Pass, he had only a single boatload of about a hundred personal guards. Therefore, Huang Shi\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>indicated that he would still need some days before he could reach the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, relief armies from Shandong, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan were all surging toward Beijing. With so many Regional Commanders and Vice Generals on the various routes, a memorial from a single relief Regional Commander like Huang Shi would not have a very high priority. Of course, given Huang Shi's reputation, he could have arranged to have his memorial turned into an eight-hundred-li express dispatch, but this time Huang Shi was very proper and honest, and did not go through any back channels. Thus, the speed of his memorial's transmission became very slow. Express memorials of various grades kept racing ahead of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In particular, when Zu Dashou led the Guanning Iron Cavalry in mutiny out of the capital, they plundered all the post horses between the capital and Shanhai Pass. This made Huang Shi's memorial even slower — it took a full six days to reach the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wonder where Commander Huang is now?\" Chongzhen read the memorial over and over several times, then had someone spread out the map and walked over to study it carefully himself: \"I wonder if Commander Huang's army has finished assembling?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chongzhen's words had barely faded when Zhang Heming rose and petitioned: \"Your Majesty, your servant is willing to leave the capital this very night and go to Shanhai Pass to take command and drive back the Jian slaves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Biao, inwardly cursing that old scoundrel Zhang Heming for being far too quick, also scrambled to his feet without delay: \"Your Majesty, Elder Zhang is loyal and courageous, worthy of praise, but he is advanced in years and still has an ailment in his leg. Your servant believes it would be better for him to go to Shanhai Pass to take command.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, your old servant's leg is already much better. Your old servant has also worked together with Commander Huang for a long time...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, in this incursion of the Jian slaves, your servant, as Senior Grand Secretary, bears great blame. I humbly beg Your Majesty to permit your servant to atone for his crimes by meritorious service and go to Shanhai Pass to take command.\" Wen Tiren also tore away all pretense and jumped out to contend with Zhang Heming and Li Biao: \"Your servant is willing to set a limit of four months — I will certainly drive the Jian slaves beyond the border walls, and pacify Liao in five years!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is willing to set a limit of three months to drive out the Jian slaves beyond the border walls! Pacify Liao in four years!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your old servant is willing to set a limit of two months to drive out the Jian slaves! Pacify Liao in four years!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My many ministers, your hearts are so full of loyalty to the sovereign and concern for the state — I am deeply moved.\" Chongzhen hastily put a stop to their great pacify-Liao auction. The great hall, which moments ago had been utterly lifeless, was now boiling over. Chongzhen had already made up his mind. First, he addressed Wen Tiren and Li Biao: \"My two beloved ministers are diligent and loyal in the king's affairs, but you are my Senior Grand Secretary and Junior Grand Secretary — you cannot be away from the capital for even a moment. As for this matter of taking command, I think it best to let it be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, a trace of smugness could not help but surface on Zhang Heming's face. But then the Son of Heaven turned to him and said: \"Beloved Minister Zhang, you are old but vigorous, which greatly comforts my heart. However, Minister Zhang's leg ailment has not yet greatly improved. I think Elder Zhang should stay home and rest at ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Heming anxiously explained: \"Your Majesty, your old servant's leg ailment truly is already much better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. I feel that Elder Zhang's illness has not yet healed. I feel that Elder Zhang is still very seriously ill.\" Chongzhen finished speaking with a smile, feeling that he had finally vented some of the pent-up frustration in his chest. If Wei Zhongxian had not abolished the system of beatings at court, Chongzhen would have felt like striking people several times over these past days. The Donglin Party members always said that everything Wei Zhongxian did was evil; these past few days, Chongzhen had been mulling over whether he ought to restore the court beating system. The more he mulled, the greater the temptation grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Tiren then asked: \"Your Majesty, as for the post of Grand Coordinator, should the Grand Secretariat put forward a recommendation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the Tianqi reign, Grand Coordinators and Military Grand Coordinators were all recommended from among the civil officials, but Chongzhen did not like this idea now: \"That will not be necessary. I have my own plans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for the Grand Secretaries to ask further, Chongzhen stood with his hands clasped behind his back and loudly declared to Wang Chengen: \"Huang Shi has come ten thousand li to the Emperor's aid — loyal and courageous, worthy of praise. Enfeoff him as Count of Rongcheng, hereditary five Battalion Commander.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As decreed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rongcheng was located at the tip of the Shandong Peninsula, southeast of Weihai Guard, under the jurisdiction of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This appointment instantly changed the expressions on the faces of the Grand Secretaries. Once a title of nobility was bestowed, Huang Shi's status would no longer be that of an ordinary military officer — his status would be higher than that of civil officials. If the Emperor bestowed a noble title upon a military officer and still did not strip him of his military authority, it could only mean one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wang Chengen had recorded the imperial edict conferring the title of nobility, Chongzhen, without the slightest hesitation, loudly proclaimed: \"Promote the Count of Rongcheng to Vice Administrator of the Bureau of Military Affairs, bearing the seal of General Who Subdues the Slaves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Chengen loudly responded: \"As decreed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bestow upon the General Who Subdues the Slaves a golden arrow of command. All local officials of the third rank and below, whether civil or military, shall uniformly be under the authority of the General Who Subdues the Slaves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As decreed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\" Although everyone knew the Emperor was extremely angry with them, and although everyone knew that the Grand Secretariat's utter inaction these past days had thoroughly disgusted the Emperor, this matter was far too grave. Wen Tiren had no choice but to steel himself and say: \"Your servant humbly begs Your Majesty to think thrice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chongzhen stopped speaking and coldly swept his gaze across the roomful of Grand Secretaries and senior ministers. The faces of the others also showed unwillingness, but none of them were willing to jump out and provoke the Emperor's wrath. Everyone now knew that the Son of Heaven's mood was utterly foul and that he was thoroughly disappointed in them all. Chongzhen sneered inwardly again and said in a flat tone: \"I have made my decision. Reopen the Office of the Grand Chief Commissioner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, Chongzhen ignored Wen Tiren entirely and continued on his own: \"Appoint the Count of Rongcheng as Left Chief Commissioner of the Office of the Grand Chief Commissioner, with the concurrent title of Grand Chief Commissioner. He shall be in charge of the Office of the Grand Chief Commissioner, participate in managing the Five Chief Military Commissions, and oversee the military affairs of the six armies. He shall not interfere in the affairs of the Six Ministries and Nine Courts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chongzhen paused, took a deep breath, and finished giving his final order: \"Military officers of the fifth rank and below shall be evaluated by the Office of the Grand Chief Commissioner. Appointments of military officers of the fourth rank and above shall be submitted by the Office of the Grand Chief Commissioner to the Directorate of Ceremonial for approval in red ink. Thus decreed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Chengen immediately responded: \"As decreed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Secretaries and senior ministers remained in dead silence. As the Emperor's gaze swept over them, they all knelt and prostrated themselves on the floor: \"Your servants obey the decree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through his telescope Huang Shi watched the banners and riders drawing nearer on the opposite side, and said in a low, sharp voice: \"Prepare for battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Grand Commander.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Firefighting and Rock-Solid battalions had already deployed into battle formation. As officers bellowed orders, the artillerymen loaded priming charges, and the gunners stood with lit torches, their expressions solemn, behind the nine-pounder cannons. Behind the line of nine-pounders stretched the neat horizontal ranks of infantry — several thousand men holding banners aloft, arrayed in dense square formations. The drummers rested their hands steadily on the drumheads, listening in silence for the officers' commands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two li behind the Funing Army's square formation were several thousand allied troops from Shanhai Pass. Huang Shi sat on horseback on a rise between the two forces; beside him stood Yao Yuxian and Jin Guan, their faces taut with anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pained look crossed Yao Yuxian's face. He asked cautiously: \"Grand Commander Huang, wouldn't it be better to avoid a fight if we can?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General Yao, I take no pleasure in this either. But as Regional Commander of Funing Garrison, it is a soldier's duty to suppress rebels wherever they are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand Commander Huang is right, absolutely right,\" Jin Guan chimed in repeatedly from behind Huang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching from the opposite side were the rebel troops of Zu Dashou and his ilk. The day before, the Shanhai Pass forces had just reached Changli when they encountered Zu Dashou's advance couriers, who declared they intended to return to Ningyuan and demanded that Yao Yuxian clear the road at once — otherwise they would force their way through the pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao Yuxian had already agreed, but Huang Shi soon arrived at Luanzhou. Upon hearing the news he immediately\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ordered Yao Yuxian to send another envoy in pursuit, making it clear that Luanzhou would never allow Zu Dashou's Guanning Iron Cavalry to pass. Huang Shi told Yao Yuxian in stern and righteous terms that defying imperial orders was rebellion, and letting rebel troops out of the pass was treason — therefore Yao Yuxian not only must not let the rebel army through, but must cooperate with Huang Shi to block and intercept them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, to spare the feelings of Yao Yuxian and Jin Guan, Huang Shi kept the Shanhai Pass troops stationed behind the Funing Army's formation. He figured that this way Yao and Jin would have no chance to clash with Zu Dashou. Now the two men were staring anxiously at the troops advancing along the southern road, their expressions utterly distraught. Seeing this, Huang Shi added reassuringly: \"General Yao, General Jin — they are rebel soldiers, we are imperial troops. Since ancient times, where have there been imperial troops who see rebels and do not seize them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men detected a hint of displeasure in Huang Shi's tone and, terrified that he might impeach them, hastily and loudly agreed: \"Grand Commander Huang speaks the absolute truth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi smiled and said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw the enemy ahead about to enter firing range, a white-armored cavalryman raised a viper banner in his right hand, shook the reins, and spurred his horse forward. Soon he galloped up before the rebel column. The rider slowly reined in his mount in front of the massed rebel troops, turned the horse sideways across the official road, and faced the rebels with his left side. His right hand held the battle flag steady as he thrust his arm straight out toward the enemy host, making a blocking gesture: \"Halt! The Great Ming's Funing Army commands you to halt, or you shall be destroyed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cavalry formation on the opposite side obediently came to a stop. Soon the crowd parted, and a general rode out from the gap in the rebel ranks, surrounded by his personal guards. He studied the arrogant cavalryman before him, then let his gaze shift to the banner behind the soldier — a fierce viper flicking its long forked tongue, as if poised to strike and devour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The general sighed, dismounted, and walked on foot toward the Funing Army's inner guard. As he walked he removed his helmet and held it in both hands. The Funing Army inner guard withdrew his left arm, placed one hand on his hip, and sat motionless on his horse, looking down from above at the humble officer who had come before his mount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The sinner Zu Dashou begs an audience with Grand Commander Huang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zu Dashou came with his hands bound behind his back; he had removed his helmet and cap himself. Upon seeing Huang Shi, Zu Dashou dropped to his knees with a thud: \"This sinner begs Grand Commander Huang's mercy — spare the lives of the nine thousand sons under my command.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi dismounted and walked slowly over to stand before Zu Dashou. Zu Dashou kept his head lowered, staring at the ground, kneeling rigid and motionless. Huang Shi knew that in history Zu Dashou would soon become a cannibal — after eating all the common folk of Dalinghe and Jinzhou, this cannibal would weep and wail, demanding to join the Later Jin's Plain Yellow Banner. Then, by virtue of writing surrender-soliciting letters to Guanning Army officers day and night, the cannibal Zu Dashou would finally turn himself and the several hundred members of the Zu clan into Manchu compatriots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Huang Shi figured that since he had already sworn brotherhood with Kong Youde, he ought not to discriminate against Zu Dashou. So he used both hands to lift the cannibal up from the ground and, for the first time, studied up close this long-distance running champion who ranked first in the Guanning Army. Hmm — the last time Huang Shi had seen Zu Dashou was during the Battle of Guangning, when this cannibal had vanished into the dust, leaving both the traitor Sun Degong and the insider Huang Shi far behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General Zu, by your actions you have already saved the lives of the sons under your command.\" As Huang Shi spoke, he personally untied the ropes binding Zu Dashou. Zu Dashou alone had over ten Battalion Commander retainers at Ningyuan, Jinzhou, and elsewhere — the imperial court was certain to pardon a warlord of such magnitude, so Huang Shi might as well do him a favor: \"Turn back and the shore is at hand. Since General Zu shows a repentant heart, I, Huang, will naturally do my utmost to ensure General Zu comes to no harm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many thanks, Grand Commander Huang. For this grace and this virtue, Zu will never forget as long as he lives.\" The cannibal had escaped death by a hair's breadth; the great stone in his heart fell to the ground, and his tone was exceptionally sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At present I am about to seize a great merit — would General Zu care to share a cup of the spoils?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sun Chengzong learned of Chongzhen's decision, he could not help but cry out in alarm to the Grand Secretariat: \"His Majesty issues such an edict — why did you not fight to the death to stop it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Tiren said with a dejected look: \"In all these decades no one has ever breached the capital district. His Majesty is beside himself with fury. The Grand Secretariat has been utterly helpless, so naturally His Majesty does not trust us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Secretariat knew that Chongzhen had now entered a quasi-berserk state, so no one was willing to court death at this critical juncture. Therefore the Grand Secretariat had already resolved to countersign Chongzhen's edict reestablishing the Office of the Grand Commandant. Wen Tiren explained to Sun Chengzong: \"The Grand Secretaries have all discussed it. His Majesty is at the height of his rage right now. There will be time ahead; we can plan for the long term.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What long-term planning? Do you want to bring about Grand Commander Huang's death?\" Sun Chengzong was so agitated he broke into a sweat. The authority of the Office of the Grand Commandant was too great — even the dynasty's founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, had found it hard to control. Once the Office of the Grand Commandant was reestablished, how would they ever keep Huang Shi in check thereafter? Sooner or later the problem of mutual suspicion between sovereign and subject would arise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, reestablishing the Office of the Grand Commandant would utterly destroy the established model of civil officials controlling the military. At present, most of the Ministry of War's authority over military officers had originally belonged to the Office of the Grand Commandant. Furthermore, when on campaign the Grand Commandant could also take charge of logistics himself, leaving the Ministry of War with control over nothing more than equipment and troop-strength verification. Once the other powers were returned, military officers would no longer much fear obstruction by the Ministry of War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, this meant not only that no civil official could claim any credit from Huang Shi's achievements, but that in the future the opportunities to claim credit from other military officers would also greatly diminish. Thus Huang Shi and the Office of the Grand Commandant were bound to become the common enemy in the eyes of the civil officials. When Wen Tiren had spoken of \"time ahead,\" he meant that sooner or later they could shut down the Office of the Grand Commandant again. But Sun Chengzong understood: the higher one is raised, the harder one falls. When the time came to close the Office of the Grand Commandant, it would surely be another great purge, and Huang Shi would in all likelihood suffer a catastrophic downfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must not countersign — absolutely must not countersign.\" Sun Chengzong raised a great ruckus in the Wenyuan Pavilion and at last succeeded in rousing a shred of morale among the Grand Secretaries: \"If His Majesty lays blame, this old man will bear it alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Wen Tiren had expected, when the palace directive was blocked and rejected by the Ministry of War's supervising secretaries and the Grand Secretariat, Chongzhen flew into a rage. He sent Cao Huachun to the Wenyuan Pavilion to demand an explanation, and everyone there shrank back — only Sun Chengzong stepped forward with his head held high: \"Eunuch Cao, this old minister wishes to seek an audience with His Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sun Chengzong met with Chongzhen, he saw in the latter's eyes a leaping, coldly sinister flame, filled entirely with deep suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, this Office of the Grand Commandant cannot be opened. This old minister is willing to take command of the Liaodong campaign and will surely sweep away the Jianzhou slaves, relieving Your Majesty of all concern for the east.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without blinking, Chongzhen stared at Sun Chengzong and spat out two words in rapid succession: \"How long?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, war is perilous and uncertain — how can there be any fixed timetable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chongzhen gave a cold laugh: \"Grand Secretary Sun, what battles have you ever won? Or what certain strategy for pacifying Liao do you possess, that would let Us entrust the entire eastern campaign to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chengzong's heart tightened. He indeed had no passable military talent, but he still earnestly remonstrated: \"Your Majesty, the more urgent the matter, the less it should be handled rashly. Your Majesty previously entrusted the entire eastern campaign to Yuan Chonghuan, without even appointing a single Army Supervisor. Now Your Majesty entrusts it entirely to Huang Shi, again without setting an Army Supervisor to check him...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why should he be checked? Why must We check Grand Commander Huang?\" Chongzhen cried out in fury, his voice turning shrill and piercing: \"If We must trust one man, We would rather\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>trust Grand Commander Huang than trust any of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, Grand Commander Huang's talent is matchless, but the laws laid down by our ancestors exist precisely so that great and small check one another. A subject must never be allowed to hold excessive power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chongzhen retorted impatiently: \"Grand Commander Huang will never betray Us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did Your Majesty not think the same of Yuan Chonghuan two years ago?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Sun Chengzong finished speaking, he saw Chongzhen's eyes snap toward him. Flames of fury blazed from the young Son of Heaven's eyes as he said, biting off each word: \"The Grand Coordinator of Ji and Liao did not betray Us. At most, he merely had bad luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words stunned Sun Chengzong into silence. Chongzhen's forehead turned livid: \"Besides, Yuan Chonghuan said 'pacify Liao in five years' — the five years are not yet up, are they? As We see it, perhaps when the five years are reached, Yuan Chonghuan will have pacified the Later Jin. These things are by no means certain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty... Your Majesty...\" For a moment Sun Chengzong could not think of what to say. The Son of Heaven before him seemed utterly unaware of the meaning of law. The governance of a realm must have rules to follow; if one wantonly destroys the rules based on nothing more than personal likes and dislikes, the realm will quickly descend into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our resolve will never change.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, the Grand Secretariat will certainly not countersign.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chongzhen's eyes blazed doubly bright with fury. He ground his teeth and gave a cold laugh: \"What a stubborn Grand Secretary Sun. It matters not if the Grand Secretariat refuses to countersign — We shall simply issue the palace directive directly to Grand Commander Huang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Sun Chengzong's mind, Huang Shi was a man loyal to the public good and devoted to the state, a man who understood priorities and harbored no excessive personal ambition. Therefore Sun Chengzong firmly believed that Huang Shi would never accept such a palace directive. He was confident he had not misjudged the man, so he shook his head and sighed softly: \"Your Majesty, this old minister guarantees that Grand Commander Huang will never accept the edict.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, Grand Commander Huang will certainly accept it. Grand Commander Huang will never betray Us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the twenty-ninth, Chongzhen dispatched men to send the palace directive to Shanhai Pass at top speed, and at the same time published the news in the capital gazette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand Commander Huang is coming!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The savages' doomsday has come!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live Grand Commander Huang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheers of the common people carried all the way into the palace. Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion, the several officials, hearing the faint cheers outside, set down their brushes and ceased their work almost in unison, furrowing their brows as they sank into deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>",5534,"2026-06-04T07:54:54.057Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","153b3335a4360df033ad33ca390c4944f8ac5966836bd5ccc1ab110dd81ff12e","stealing-ming-chapter-319","stealing-ming-chapter-317",323,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-ming-cover.jpg"]