Chapter 311: A Mix-Up

Just as Hong Taiji summoned Daišan to the palace for counsel, in the Zhaoren Hall of the Qianqing Palace, Yang Sichang and other key officials of the Ministry of War engaged in a brief debate with Chen Qiyu over the military situation beyond the passes.

After hearing Chen Qiyu's proposal that Hong Chengchou take the initiative to attack, seeking to inflict heavy losses on the Jianzhou barbarians' southward forces and force the Jianzhou barbarian chieftain to commit his main army in full, engaging the government troops in a decisive battle near Jinzhou, Yang Sichang and the two Vice Ministers of War both expressed their opposition.

"Your Excellency's proposal is quite reasonable, but the timing is far too early! We are already in the ninth month; by the time all routes of government troops are assembled at the capital it will be mid-ninth month, and by the time they reach beyond the passes it will be late ninth month—by then heavy snow will likely have fallen along the Jinzhou front. In the bitter cold and frozen ground, transporting supplies will be extremely difficult, let alone waging battle! Would the barbarian bandits not know of such disadvantages? Your Excellency's scheme is likely to come to naught!"

Left Vice Minister Wang Jiazhen was the first to speak in opposition.

"Your Excellency's strategy is in fact an excellent one, and what the Vice Minister has said is also quite reasonable, but what I am concerned about is something else. According to our previous planning, the main army beyond the passes serves as the regular force, with two purposes: first, to seek heavy losses against the barbarian bandits; second, to buy time for the two flanking surprise forces to strike directly at the enemy's heart. Your Excellency may have overlooked one point: if our main forces and the enemy's engage in a decisive battle in the near term, the outcome will by no means be decided quickly. Setting aside the cavalry forces under Academician Lu, consider only the five thousand government troops from Denglai racing to attack Hetu Ala—every cold month, the Liaodong coast freezes over completely, and ships simply cannot sail. Under such circumstances, the Denglai troops cannot possibly land on Liaodong, let alone launch a surprise attack on the barbarian bandits' lair!"

The elegant Yang Sichang wore a composed expression, and in a few brief words pointed out the greatest flaw in the strategy Chen Qiyu had offered.

Chen Qiyu's expression did not change. Because he had long since thought of this point, but to avoid offending the Emperor to his face, he had not raised the matter directly, instead letting it be spoken through another's mouth.

Zhu Youjian, meanwhile, felt his face grow somewhat warm. He had not realized this was done deliberately by Chen Qiyu; on the contrary, he felt a measure of guilt toward Chen Qiyu, thinking that had he himself considered things more comprehensively, this important minister would not have lost face before others.

As a man of later generations who had crossed over from an age of information explosion, he had selectively overlooked the winter freezing period of the Bohai Sea—this was truly embarrassing.

"Heh heh, this matter is not Minister Chen's fault; it was My oversight. I only thought of engaging the barbarian bandits in a decisive battle as early as possible, which is why Minister Chen hastily devised this strategy! The Minister of War is indeed a seasoned minister who plans for the state, meticulous in all matters of military affairs. With ministers such as you—a host of capable and competent officials—I feel greatly at ease!"

"Your Majesty need not blame Yourself. As ministers, it is our duty to fill gaps and correct oversights in our sovereign's plans—this too is the way of the minister! Moreover, Your Excellency's strategy is indeed an excellent one; it is merely that the timing chosen is somewhat off. I believe that if the enemy at Jinzhou does not withdraw, then when spring comes next year, we may implement Your Excellency's strategy!"

The tactful Yang Sichang was unwilling to make enemies lightly, especially of those Zhu Youjian held in high regard. Since the Emperor had summoned Chen Qiyu from the provinces to serve at the capital, he must surely approve greatly of his conduct. As far as he knew, although Chen Qiyu's talents and achievements were quite outstanding, he had no allies within the court. If he were to enter the Grand Secretariat alongside himself in the future, then forming a favorable connection now would allow them to support each other in the Grand Secretariat when matters arose.

Chen Qiyu clasped his hands toward Yang Sichang in acknowledgment. He had long since analyzed the problems Yang Sichang had considered, and he bore no ill will toward this Minister of War of such fine bearing.

And according to Yang Sichang's observations, aside from favoring Wen Tiren, the Emperor felt genuine disgust toward the other two Grand Secretaries, Zhang Zhifa and Wang Yingxiong—their retirement was only a matter of time. The main reason the Emperor kept them was that the Jianzhou problem had not yet been resolved and the court needed temporary stability; once the Jianzhou matter was settled, these two would immediately be sent home by the Emperor to enjoy their old age.

Last year the Emperor had intended to add new Grand Secretaries, but because both senior figures of the Censorate were on assignment outside the capital, the Emperor felt it would be unfair to those two constitutional officials, and so the matter was temporarily shelved.

If next year they could deliver a devastating blow to the Jianzhou barbarians and the situation both within and outside the Great Ming was thoroughly stabilized, then adding Grand Secretaries would be placed on the agenda.

According to what the Emperor had indicated, the number of Grand Secretaries would be increased to six or seven. Wen Tiren's imperial favor had not waned, and his retention was a foregone conclusion, while Zhang Zhifa and Wang Yingxiong would likely retire together—in that case, the Grand Secretariat would have at least five vacancies.

Yang Sichang had long since analyzed that the three men Hong Chengchou, Lu Xiangsheng, and Sun Chuanting were certain to enter the Grand Secretariat, and no one would raise any objection.

It was under the sustained blows of these three important ministers that the roving bandits had ultimately collapsed; such merit in saving the state from collapse was unmatched by anyone, and their entry into the Grand Secretariat was only natural.

As for the remaining candidates for Grand Secretary, he himself counted as one, Minister of Rites Zhang Guowei counted as one, and Chen Qiyu counted as one. If there were seven Grand Secretaries, it would be just right; if six, then it would be a choice of two from three. But Yang Sichang believed the Emperor would have himself and Chen Qiyu enter the Grand Secretariat, and Zhang Guowei would be set aside.

"Reporting to Your Majesty: since we cannot launch a decisive battle with the Jianzhou barbarians this year, and the barracks and storehouses at Shahousuo have not yet been completed, I suggest that when the Qin army and the Sichuan army arrive at the capital, they directly quarter in the camps of the Capital Camps and the Yongwei Camp. After resting and refitting, they can conduct normal daytime drills. Their needed weapons, armor, and equipment can also be replenished from the Armory Bureau nearby, and during ordinary days they can conduct joint exercises with the chariot battalions of the Yongwei Camp, so that each side becomes familiar with the other, identifies shortcomings, and makes improvements—then, when the great battle comes next year, they can exit the passes a month or more in advance!"

Right Vice Minister of War Li Zhiyuan offered this counsel.

Li Zhiyuan, originally the Defense Circuit Intendant of Ningyuan, had received strong recommendation from Hong Chengchou and was specially appointed by Zhu Youjian to the post of Right Vice Minister of War, replacing the former Vice Minister Wang Fengshi, who had retired due to illness.

When Hong Chengchou was traveling to take up his post at Ji-Liao, he had stayed a night at Ningyuan. After a detailed conversation with Li Zhiyuan, he could not help but greatly admire his outstanding talents. Considering that when he returned to court in the future he would urgently need someone to support him mutually, and that the currently frustrated Li Zhiyuan was precisely the best candidate, after a heart-to-heart talk, Hong Chengchou decisively recommended this capable man to Zhu Youjian.

After detailed investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Youjian also came to approve greatly of this capable man recommended by Hong Chengchou. Moreover, having spent several years beyond the passes, he was thoroughly familiar with frontier affairs. It happened that Wang Fengshi had retired to return home to recuperate, leaving the post of Right Vice Minister of War vacant—and so Li Zhiyuan's opportunity to soar came about.

Li Zhiyuan, rising from an ignored idle post of the fourth rank to the coveted high position of the third rank, felt a gratitude toward Hong Chengchou beyond words. From then on he regarded Hong Chengchou as a second parent, and Hong Chengchou, aside from his old acquaintances, finally had a true protégé within the court.

"Minister Li's counsel is excellent! This matter shall be entrusted to Minister Li to manage. You may frequently inspect the military camps, go deep among the soldiers, understand their needs, and resolve conflicts that affect morale and fighting spirit. Though the army is a place without sentiment, soldiers and officers are still ordinary men; their blood and sacrifice are so that the people of the Great Ming may live and work in peace. My establishment of the Shrine of Loyal Martyrs is precisely to let the world know that all who give and sacrifice for the Great Ming deserve to be remembered by posterity!"

"Your Majesty's words, Your minister shall bear them in mind!"

Li Zhiyuan was no stranger to the matters Zhu Youjian had charged him with. In his years beyond the passes, he had long grown accustomed to dealing with soldiers who were rough and uncouth yet also straightforward and open-hearted. Since the Emperor's words revealed a concern for the common soldiers, Li Zhiyuan would naturally take this as his standard and achieve something to match the Emperor's wishes.

"Let us conclude today's discussion here. Ministers, return to your duties, sort out the various matters, and greet next year's great battle in a state of full readiness!"