Chapter 125: Borrowing Momentum

A great victory! Imperial troops routed the Jianzhou barbarians around Changping and Huairou, killing nearly ten thousand of the enemy! The remnants of the Jianzhou barbarians fled north in panic!

A great victory! Lu Xiangsheng, the Five-Province Pacification Minister, and Chen Qiyu, the Governor of Fengyang, led imperial troops to a major defeat of the roving bandit forces under Gao Yingxiang and Zhang Xianzhong at Shouzhou — the bandits' army of two hundred thousand was utterly destroyed! The Dashing King and the Yellow Tiger have vanished without a trace!

As the news of victory spread through the capital at astonishing speed, Chongzhen was in the Qianqing Palace receiving congratulations from the Grand Secretariat ministers led by Wen Tiren, the nine chief ministers of the various courts, the Prefect of Shuntian, the Supervising Secretaries of the Six Offices of Scrutiny, and the hereditary nobles.

Lu Xiangsheng's victory dispatch had arrived the previous day by six-hundred-li express relay, but Chongzhen had deliberately held it back, waiting to announce it together with the Yongwei Camp's victory over the Qing army. Though the results were somewhat exaggerated, it was done to boost morale. The arrival of these two great victories was enough to reassure the people and rouse many who had been pessimistic about the situation. At the same time, it would greatly raise the morale and courage of the Ming imperial troops, enabling them to perform to their true strength on future battlefields.

After withdrawing from Changping, Ajige led his forces eastward, hoping to join forces with Tangui's troops, take Huairou and Shunyi, plunder extensively, and then withdraw north.

The army had marched only twenty li east from Changping when they encountered Tangui's forces retreating in defeat from the east.

It turned out that when Tangui learned that a large force of Ming cavalry was approaching from the west, he immediately organized the Bordered Blue, the Two Red Banners, and the remaining Plain White Banner Qing troops for a counter-charge. But who would have thought that the mere thousand-odd surviving Xuanfu infantry would throw themselves forward heedless of death. The Qing army was caught between enemies front and rear, and Tangui could only order the front units to mount up to meet the enemy while the rear units dismounted to fight the Ming infantry hand-to-hand. Assistant Regional Commander Xu Jin of the Yongwei Camp led three thousand cavalry charging in from the west, Assistant Regional Commander Wang Huai'en led one thousand cavalry arriving from the east, the Xuanfu infantry opened the charge route, and the Ming forces struck from both sides.

The Qing troops had marched long without eating, and after fierce fighting against the Xuanfu army their strength was spent — how could they withstand the impact of a large cavalry force? Moreover, most of the Yongwei Camp cavalry wore iron armor, while the Qing troops were mostly in leather and cotton armor, putting them at a great disadvantage in equipment. In the end, after leaving behind over a thousand corpses and wounded, Tangui led the remnants fleeing desperately westward until they met up with Ajige.

After hearing Tangui's brief report, Ajige looked at the utterly crushed morale of the eastern routed troops and decisively ordered a withdrawal north through Juyong Pass. The Ming cavalry to the east might arrive after resting for a while, and heavy forces were massed beneath the walls of Changping. If the Ming court had been targeting him all along, other Ming troops might well be on their way — if he didn't leave now, he might never get away!

Though defeated, the Qing army did not fall into disorder. Three thousand Plain White Banner cavalry formed the rearguard, and after exiting Juyong Pass the main force turned east, finally returning to Shengjing through the Sihaiye Pass. The Yongwei Camp cavalry gave chase, but seeing the Qing army's tight formation, they could not mount a charge, so they followed as far as Juyong Pass before turning back. The Ministry of War sent men to collect the remains of the fallen defenders of the pass, and laborers would be conscripted to repair the damaged sections of the border wall and the pass.

The battle reports from Lu Xiangsheng and the Yongwei Camp had already been circulated among the Grand Secretariat, and the grand secretaries all knew these two great victories were essentially without embellishment — the results were indeed glorious.

Even Wen Tiren's normally stern and solemn face now bore a smile none present had ever seen. He stepped forward, bowed with clasped hands, and announced in a loud voice: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty! Minister Lu is resolute and decisive, Governor Chen of Fengyang is resourceful and judicious, and all the imperial troops vied to be first in valor! These two battles have been won completely — this is all due to Your Majesty's keen eye for talent! Your minister congratulates Your Majesty! Congratulates the Great Ming!"

Second Grand Secretary Wang Yingxiong also stepped forward to memorialize: "Your Majesty, these two consecutive great victories are a joy long absent from our Imperial Ming! Your old minister believes that of the two victories, the Battle of Shouzhou is the more significant! Minister Lu and Governor Chen, in the guise of civil officials, led troops to suppress the bandits and achieved a victory unprecedented since the roving bandits first brought chaos! Your old minister believes these two men are truly the glory of the civil service! I hope Your Majesty will issue an edict of commendation, urging them to press their advantage and wipe out the remaining bandits, to secure the Ming dynasty's rivers and mountains!"

Wang Yingxiong naturally knew the Jianzhou barbarians were far more formidable in combat than the roving bandits and posed a greater threat to the Ming. The mere fact that the court poured millions in military pay and provisions into Liaodong every year was proof enough of how great the Jianzhou threat was. Though he was jealous that Lu Xiangsheng and Chen Qiyu had achieved such results, the two were after all civil officials, so they deserved abundant praise. As for the Yongwei Camp defeating the powerful Jianzhou barbarians — well, whose fault was it that no civil official had been sent to oversee them? Civil officials most dreaded the rise of military men. In their eyes, those coarse, ill-mannered soldiers were unworthy to stand alongside scholars of the sages' books in the court.

Grand Secretary Zhang Zhifa stepped forward to memorialize: "Your minister concurs with the Chief Grand Secretary and the Second Grand Secretary! Lu and Chen are truly the glory of us civil officials. I hope Your Majesty will issue an open edict commending them both generously!"

The other civil officials also stepped forward one after another to offer congratulations, their words mostly praising Lu Xiangsheng and Chen Qiyu for their strategic planning and skilled command.

Among the civil officials, only the newly appointed Minister of War, Yang Sichang, remained silent, stroking his long beard as if lost in thought.

As for the hereditary nobles led by Zhu Chunchen — either they had no stake in the matter and had only come to show their faces and remind everyone they still existed, because whether it was the Yongwei Camp or any other imperial force, none contained their confidants, and they received no daily tribute from them either, so why should they sing anyone's praises? Or else, like Yangwu Marquis Xue Lian and others, their usual presence was so low that speaking rashly on such a grand occasion might draw a collective attack from the civil officials — so they simply kept their mouths shut.

After the ministers finished speaking, Chongzhen smiled and said: "Hearing of two great victories at once, I too am overjoyed! After these two battles, the pressure of internal troubles and external threats has eased somewhat, and the hearts of officials, gentry, and commoners alike have settled a little. This is due both to the planning and command of Ministers Lu and Chen, and to the unity and shared hatred of the enemy among the imperial officers and soldiers! And also to the tireless diligence of you ministers! With all hearts united as one, I am deeply gratified! For this great victory, those of merit shall be richly rewarded! Lu Xiangsheng has campaigned for years, repeatedly defeating the bandits — he is hereby awarded the concurrent title of Left Censor-in-Chief! I trust he will not disappoint my expectations and will continue leading his forces in pursuit of the bandits — I have great hopes for him! Governor Chen Qiyu of Fengyang, having achieved such extraordinary merit so soon after taking office, is hereby awarded the concurrent title of Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, promoted to Governor-General of Grain Transport while retaining the governorship of Fengyang, to manage the grain transport affairs! The fallen and wounded soldiers shall also be properly collected and provided for — this matter is assigned to the Ministry of War. Minister Yang, you shall draft a plan, submit it to the Grand Secretariat, and then send it to the Directorate of Ceremonial for the red seal before promulgating it to the realm! Minister Yang, you have newly taken up this post as head of the Ministry of War and may be somewhat unfamiliar with its affairs — you should consult frequently with the Vice Ministers of the Left and Right, and together handle the Ministry of War's business well!"

Yang Sichang stepped forward, performed the ritual salute, and accepted the edict.

A month earlier, Supervising Secretary Chang Ziyu of the War Office had submitted a memorial impeaching Minister of War Liang Tingdong, charging that the head of the Ministry occupied his post without merit — long in high office yet offering not a single strategy for His Majesty's consideration, allowing the roving bandits and Jianzhou barbarians to grow ever stronger. Chongzhen had the memorial published openly and referred to the Grand Secretariat for deliberation. Wen Tiren guessed at once that the Emperor had grown weary of Liang Tingdong — otherwise he would not have published the impeachment memorial openly — and so strongly advocated dismissing Liang Tingdong and selecting a civil official versed in military affairs to replace him. Liang Tingdong was indeed mediocre and incompetent, and being habitually terrified of the Emperor, he cowered and shrank during court audiences, disliked by all. So after the Grand Secretariat reached a consensus, the draft rescript for dismissing the Minister of War was attached to Chang Ziyu's memorial and sent back to the Directorate of Ceremonial for the red endorsement — and Liang Tingdong finally went gloriously unemployed.

Yang Sichang's father, Yang He, was himself a senior minister of deep standing. Though Chongzhen had sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest and imprison him on charges of failing in his duties, he still commanded considerable prestige at court. Combined with Yang Sichang's own considerable reputation, with Chongzhen's tacit approval and Wen Tiren's recommendation, Yang Sichang naturally succeeded to Liang Tingdong's position.

Left Censor-in-Chief Li Banghua stepped forward to memorialize: "Your Majesty, your minister once went in plain clothes to personally observe the battle from the walls of Changping. With my own eyes I witnessed the savagery of the battlefield and the valor of the imperial troops, and only then did I understand that the art of war is not so easy as we ministers imagine! The officers and men of the Yongwei Camp are fierce and skilled in battle, and their commander directs them with great ability — truly a rare elite force in the Great Ming! But after I returned, I pondered deeply, and one worry has kept me from sleeping through the night!"

Having said this, he cast a glance at the row of hereditary nobles.

Chongzhen promptly played along and asked: "What you say is most true! The realities of battle are not so simple as memorials describe — one must not speak lightly of it without personal experience! What concern do you have? Speak freely, say everything on your mind — I know you are not a man who speaks without substance!"

Li Banghua clasped his hands and said: "What your minister worries over concerns the safety of the capital itself, and I beg Your Majesty to consider it! I observe that although the Yongwei Camp bears an invincible aspect and its officers and men are strictly disciplined, its greatest shortcoming is that its numbers are far too few!"

Zhu Chunchen's heart stirred at these words — that old villain Li Banghua seemed to be implying something.

Li Banghua continued: "From a distance, your minister observed the banners the barbarians raised this time — only three of the Eight Banners were present (the Manchu Plain White Banner, the Mongol Plain White and Bordered White Banners, and the Han army banners — he did not know that the Bordered Blue and Two Red Banners had also participated), and their numbers barely exceeded ten thousand. Yet their bearing was formidable, bearing the aspect of elite troops — truly a powerful foe for our Great Ming!"

Chongzhen nodded in agreement and said: "What you do not know, my minister, is that this incursion of the Jianzhou barbarians involved more banners than you have named. The eastern force defeated by the Yongwei Camp also comprised three banners of different colors. Please continue!"

Li Banghua clasped his hands in modest deference and continued: "Our Yongwei Camp defeated the barbarians this time only by fighting with their backs to the city wall, relying on the power of the cannon on the walls and the excellence of their firearms. But if they were to meet the enemy in open field battle, though I believe the Yongwei Camp could still win, it would be a pyrrhic victory! With only some ten thousand men in the Yongwei Camp, how many would remain after such a costly victory? And if the Jianzhou barbarians came with all Eight Banners, would the safety of the capital rest on the Yongwei Camp alone?"

The assembled ministers fell into thought at these words. Each of them had sent men to observe the battle, and those who returned had all spoken of the power of the cannon, the sharpness of the muskets, and the ferocity of the imperial troops, their words carrying contempt for the Jianzhou barbarians. But Li Banghua's words today struck at the heart of the matter — the imperial troops had won under conditions of favorable timing, terrain, and unity, but the Jianzhou barbarians' skill in war was known to all. The imperial troops had won today by relying on the city walls — but what if they encountered the enemy in the open field in the future? And if the Eight Banners gathered their full strength to invade as they had in the second year of Chongzhen, could the Yongwei Camp's ten-odd thousand men hold?

Chongzhen nodded approvingly and said: "You braved danger to personally observe the battle — your courage is worthy of praise! I too know the Yongwei Camp has too few men; though it can fight, it cannot withstand heavy losses. But the only troops fit for battle near the capital are these ten thousand. What good strategy do you have, my minister?"

Zhu Chunchen suddenly understood — these two were putting on a performance for his benefit. One said the Yongwei Camp could fight but had too few men, the other said there was nothing to be done, these were all the troops there were. Who didn't know there was another great army in the capital? These people were making a move on the Capital Camps!

Though he understood this, he also knew to what depths the Capital Camps had decayed. Nominally the Capital Camps had several hundred thousand men, but only a few tens of thousands could actually be fielded, and those were soldiers who rarely drilled. Against the Eight Banner troops at Changping, victory was impossible — as for how badly they would lose, heaven only knew.

In his urgency, Zhu Chunchen could think of no way to counter this, so he could only respond to each move as it came and see how things developed.

Li Banghua said in feigned surprise: "Could Your Majesty have forgotten that there is still a great army in the capital? Are the several hundred thousand troops of the Capital Camps truly unfit for use?"

Chongzhen could barely suppress a laugh — Li Banghua's acting was absolutely of Best Actor caliber by later standards. When Wang Cheng'en had gone to Li Banghua's house the previous night and explained that the Emperor wished to reorganize the Capital Camps, the upright and outspoken Li Banghua had naturally been overjoyed. Years earlier he had submitted a memorial to Chongzhen enumerating the abuses of the hereditary nobles controlling the Capital Camps, advocating that civil officials oversee the military, thoroughly eradicate the old entrenched ills, and forge an elite force capable of defending the capital. But the former Chongzhen had been weighed down by misgivings, fearing to offend Duke Chengguo and the others, and had simply shelved his memorial, letting the matter drop.

Now that he knew His Majesty intended to use the momentum of these imperial victories to seize control of the Capital Camps, he naturally supported it with all his strength — and that was how today's topic had flowed from the victories to the Capital Camps.

Chongzhen fixed his gaze on Zhu Chunchen and asked: "Duke Chengguo has long commanded the Capital Camps. I too would like to know — are the Capital Camps fit for use?"

Zhu Chunchen had no choice but to step forward and memorialize: "Your minister and the Earl of Xiangcheng have supervised the Capital Camps for several years. I dare not claim we drilled them daily, but we have been diligent and dutiful. The Capital Camps' fighting strength is passable — merely a cut below the Yongwei Camp."

Supervising Secretary Chang Ziyu of the War Office stepped forward, saluted Zhu Chunchen, and said: "Your subordinate ventures to ask the Duke: the Capital Camps have an authorized strength of three hundred thousand — how many soldiers do they actually have at present? There are rumors that over half the positions in the Capital Camps are empty, and that every year the court allocates large sums of money and grain according to the headcount — where does it all go? And where are the vast quantities of armor and equipment? I beg the Duke to enlighten me!"

Chang Ziyu's barrage of questions enraged Zhu Chunchen to the point of shame and fury. He stepped forward, pointed at Chang Ziyu, and bellowed: "You, a mere seventh-rank official — do you not understand the proper order of superior and inferior? What right do you have to interrogate this Duke?"

Chang Ziyu sneered: "Some families have enjoyed the glory of the Great Ming for two hundred years, and at this time of the dynasty's hardship, instead of thinking of repaying His Majesty and the court, they persist in their own ways, embezzling without end! Placing personal gain above the nation! Though your subordinate's rank is low, my eyes cannot tolerate such vermin!"

Having said this, he drew a personal memorial from his bosom, turned to salute Chongzhen, and declared in a loud voice: "I, Chang Ziyu, Supervising Secretary of the War Office, impeach Duke Chengguo Zhu Chunchen and the Earl of Xiangcheng on thirteen counts: embezzlement of military pay and provisions, conscription of soldiers for personal labor, trafficking of military grain, and more! The memorial is here — I humbly present it for Your Majesty's perusal!"