Chapter 43: The Visit

Shortly after Gong Yonggu left, Sun Yingyuan arrived upon summons.

After the formal greetings and being offered a seat, Chongzhen spoke: "I have been busy with affairs of state lately and haven't had the chance to inquire. Today I summoned you for two reasons—first, to understand the situation, and second, to entrust you with a confidential matter. First, tell me about the situation with the Yongwei Camp!"

Sun Yingyuan rose and clasped his hands in salute; Chongzhen waved for him to sit. Once seated, Sun Yingyuan said: "Reporting to His Majesty, since receiving Your Majesty's decree, the eunuch army supervisors Lu Jiude and Liu Yuanbin, along with this humble minister, went to the Capital Camps to select men willing to fight. Over the past several months, we have selected two thousand cavalry and over four thousand infantry. Generals Huang Degong and Zhou Yuji took five hundred cavalry to Shandong, and Shaanxi Governor Sun took another five hundred. The Yongwei Camp now has four thousand cavalry, one thousand arquebusiers, two thousand archers, five thousand spearmen, and two thousand sword-and-shield men—a full complement of over fourteen thousand!"

"Still too few arquebusiers. Can the Directorate of Armaments keep up with supply?" Chongzhen asked.

"Reporting to His Majesty, the Directorate of Armaments currently supplies about five hundred arquebuses per month, and the camp currently has over three hundred in stock." Sun Yingyuan replied.

"Are the arquebuses of good quality? Any barrel explosions?" Chongzhen continued.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the man currently commanding the arquebus battalion is Wang Yuncheng, formerly Assistant Regional Commander of the Capital Camps' firearms battalion. General Wang is well-versed in arquebuses and has nothing but praise for the new ones made by the Directorate of Armaments. Though they drill daily, there has not been a single barrel explosion, and the range is about ten paces farther than the Capital Camps' arquebuses!"

"Mm, the Directorate of Armaments has done no small service. I will issue a decree to speed up production. As things stand now, there is still time—strive to expand the arquebus battalion to three thousand men before March next year, and drill them daily. You and Wang Yuncheng and the others should confer often to perfect coordination between arquebusiers and the other arms, focusing especially on fighting cavalry. Our Ming has fought the Tartar cavalry for many years—there is no shortage of good battle examples in this regard. You must study them carefully!"

Sun Yingyuan was startled, then said joyfully: "Your Majesty, could it be that the Yongwei Camp is going to fight the Tartars? Excellent! The officers and men of the Yongwei Camp have trained hard for a long time, but have never had the chance to take the field against the enemy. The men often talk among themselves—everyone wants to kill the enemy and win merit, to repay Your Majesty's kindness!"

Chongzhen smiled and said: "It seems morale is high. But don't be hasty—training must be strict, so that you can win when you meet a formidable foe. The second matter I want to discuss is related to this. Come, take a look at the map."

Sun Yingyuan rose and came to the imperial desk. Chongzhen stood up, pointed at the area around Juyong Pass on the map, and asked: "If the Jianzhou barbarians break through here and threaten the capital, how would you respond?"

Sun Yingyuan was startled and thought to himself: "Could His Majesty have received word that the Jianzhou barbarians are about to invade?"

But he said nothing, only studying the map seriously, mentally working through how events might unfold. Chongzhen did not urge him, only waiting quietly for his answer.

After a long moment, Sun Yingyuan spoke: "If the Jianzhou barbarians breach Juyong Pass, this humble minister believes they would first send a detachment east to take Huairou, so as not to leave their retreat cut off. Then they would certainly concentrate their forces to attack Changping—once Changping falls, the capital would be in peril. Your minister believes the Jianzhou barbarians do not have the strength to break the capital's defenses. They would make a show of force, feigning a threat against the capital, while sending detachments south to raid military pay and provisions, Fangshan, and other places. Judging from their previous incursions, they primarily come to plunder. If the Yongwei Camp were to take the field, this humble minister would smash the enemy at Changping head-on with infantry, relieving the threat to the capital, then hold the cavalry in readiness around Lugou Bridge, waiting at ease for the weary enemy. When the Jianzhou barbarians return laden with plunder, we would strike them head-on and rout them. Then we would pursue—their return route must pass through Changping, where our infantry would block them in formation while cavalry attacks from the flanks. A great victory is certain!"

Chongzhen nodded approvingly and said: "From the perspective of two armies clashing, your strategy is sound, and a great victory is within reach. But from my perspective, this approach will not do! If the Jianzhou barbarians attack southward, there is no heavy force around the capital to check their advance. As they storm cities and plunder settlements, how many common people will be displaced, their homes destroyed and families ruined? Even if you defeat them on their return march, can the dead be brought back to life? I will never allow such tragedy to occur! The state raises troops to save the people from disaster—not for officials to build their own glory! If the Jianzhou barbarians truly invade through Juyong Pass, I will dispatch the Yongwei Camp to intercept them at Changping. When that day comes, it will be up to you!"

Deeply ashamed, Sun Yingyuan's face flushed red as he knelt to beg forgiveness: "This humble minister deserves death ten thousand times over! Your Majesty is truly a wise ruler, thinking of the people in everything. Please punish me! If the Jianzhou barbarians come, your minister will fight to the death and never retreat half a step!"

Chongzhen said gently: "Rise. As a military commander, you must not only be willing to fight to the death—you must also have confidence in victory. As for where to meet the enemy, you were thinking as a commander of troops, and there is nothing blameworthy in that."

Sun Yingyuan rose awkwardly, head bowed, not daring to speak. Chongzhen looked at this brave general and smiled: "I will not blame you. What I said just now was discussion—do not be afraid. I am not a petty man!"

Only then did Sun Yingyuan relax.

Chongzhen continued: "When you return to camp, you and your subordinate officers should take turns leading teams to familiarize yourselves with the terrain around Changping and Juyong Pass. Consider how to meet the enemy in the future with combined infantry and cavalry. Do this in the guise of training—do not reveal the purpose to anyone. Do you understand?"

Sun Yingyuan nodded in assent. After Chongzhen gave a few more instructions, Sun Yingyuan took his leave and returned to camp.

After the midday meal, Chongzhen was about to take a short rest when he suddenly noticed a small figure outside the hall, peeking in curiously.

Chongzhen stood up and laughed: "Lang'er, come in—I can see you." As the words fell, a young boy ran in—wearing a wing-shaped crown, a crimson round-collar narrow-sleeved casual robe, black leather boots, with delicate, handsome features. A young eunuch followed close behind.

Chongzhen beckoned to the boy. The boy hurried over, knelt, and kowtowed: "Your son pays respects to Imperial Father."

Chongzhen smiled, helped him up, and drew him into his embrace, saying: "Didn't I tell you—when there are no outsiders, you needn't perform the full ceremony. Come, let me look at you. Has Lang'er grown any taller?"

The boy was Chongzhen's eldest son, Zhu Cilang, whose features closely resembled his mother, Empress Zhou. Though the current Chongzhen was no longer the original Chongzhen, the bond of flesh and blood was something natural and irrevocable.

Zhu Cilang leaned obediently against his father's chest and said: "Mother Empress taught Cilang that propriety cannot be abandoned. Cilang hasn't seen Imperial Father in three months and has missed him terribly, so today I secretly came to visit. Changping wanted to come too, but I thought she ran too slowly so I didn't bring her. When will Imperial Father return to Qianqing Palace? Mother Empress has mentioned it countless times—I've seen her secretly cry several times!"

Chongzhen sighed inwardly. What must be faced must be faced. Since he had crossed over, what he feared most was dealing with Empress Zhou and his sister-in-law, Empress Zhang. Though the body was still Chongzhen's, his mind was that of a man from a later age. The thought of living day and night with a gentle, virtuous woman who was familiar yet strange made him feel extremely awkward.

He had been staying at Wuying Hall for far too long this time. Not returning now would be inexcusable.

With this in mind, Chongzhen ordered: "Go tell the Empress that starting tonight, I will return to the inner palace." A young eunuch acknowledged and scurried off toward the inner palace. This was good news—not only would the messenger receive a reward, but he might also gain some recognition in the presence of the noble ladies.

Seeing that his father was finally returning to the palace, Zhu Cilang was overjoyed. He squirmed out of Chongzhen's embrace and made to run after the young eunuch.

Chongzhen laughed: "Lang'er, don't run. I'll take you somewhere first, and then we'll return together."

Zhu Cilang stopped and asked excitedly: "Imperial Father, where are we going? Will it be fun?"

Chongzhen smiled: "I'll take you out of the palace to visit an old acquaintance's home. It's been a long time since I've seen them—I wonder how their family is doing. Someone, prepare some pastries as gifts and ready the carriage."

The carriage stopped at the mouth of an alley in the northern city where artisans lived. Cheng Qianli opened the carriage door, the attending young eunuch set out the brocade stool, and Chongzhen descended, then turned and lifted Zhu Cilang down.

Zhu Cilang looked around curiously—everything was novel to him. At seven years old, he had never once stepped outside the palace gates and knew nothing of the world beyond.

Suddenly, among the children playing at the mouth of the alley, a small figure came running toward them, shouting as she ran: "Uncle, Uncle! Er'ya is here!"

Cheng Qianli was about to step forward to block her, but Chongzhen waved him back and smiled at the approaching Er'ya.

In the few months since he'd last seen her, Er'ya seemed to have grown a bit taller. Her clothes were no longer tattered—she wore a clean, neat little floral jacket and cotton shoes. Her complexion had become rosy, and her hair was tied up in two adorable little buns.

Chongzhen scooped up the running Er'ya and laughed: "Did Er'ya miss Uncle?"

Er'ya blinked her big eyes and nodded firmly: "Er'ya missed Uncle—missed him so, so much! Why hasn't Uncle come to see Er'ya for so long?"

Chongzhen smiled: "Uncle has many things to do. Today I happened to be passing this way, so I came by to see Er'ya. Who's home at your house?"

Er'ya noticed Zhu Cilang beside Chongzhen and asked curiously: "Uncle, who is this little brother?"

Zhu Cilang looked at this little girl, who was about the same age as his younger sister, and felt a natural warmth toward her. Apart from his sister, he had never seen any other girls before.

He grinned and said: "You tell me your name first, and then I'll tell you mine!" Chongzhen set Er'ya down and smiled as he watched the two children interact.

Er'ya said generously: "My name is Er'ya! My home is just ahead—I'll take you there to play. My little brother is too small, so I don't play with him!"

Zhu Cilang looked at his father. Chongzhen smiled: "Go on then. Bring the gifts, and don't reveal who you are."

Zhu Cilang gave a joyful shout, grabbed Er'ya's hand, and ran into the alley, with several guards following closely behind.

After watching him disappear into the alley, Chongzhen turned and walked toward another alley. Cheng Qianli made a gesture, and several guards went ahead to clear the way while Chongzhen strolled along at a leisurely pace.

Bringing his son out of the palace this time had been a whim, but he had also been thinking of the adorable Er'ya, so he had come here again—and to see whether the living conditions of the artisan households had improved.

The residential alleys in the north were somewhat wider than those in the south, but the environment was not as good. The north had long suffered from drought and scarce rain, and the common folk were not as prosperous as in the south.

Strolling along, he saw that the alley was lined with low gatehouses—most with rammed earth walls and thatched roofs, only a few households having brick and tile houses. The road beneath his feet was an uneven dirt path.

It was winter, and the wind was not strong, so there was no scene of dust flying about.

Chongzhen walked a long way with his hands clasped behind his back. Since the artisans were all on duty, the only people he encountered were children at play and a few elderly folk and housewives watching over them. Whether child or adult, the sallow, haggard look that had once been so common was gone. Their eyes had regained their spark, the numb and despairing expressions had completely vanished, and their clothing was clean and tidy.

Chongzhen felt deeply satisfied. His arrival had, after all, changed some people's fates and brought them hope. This feeling of benefiting others was wonderful to him. The motto he had believed in his previous life had finally been realized: In poverty, cultivate one's own virtue; in success, benefit the whole world.

After wandering for a good while, he returned to the mouth of the alley. The guards had already brought Zhu Cilang back, with Er'ya reluctantly following behind.

Chongzhen smiled, bent down, and said to Er'ya: "Er'ya, do you get enough to eat every day now?"

"Uncle, Er'ya eats her fill every day! Er'ya can eat a lot! Before, Er'ya would be so hungry she'd fall asleep! Now Papa earns lots of money, and Mama has cried happy tears several times! Little brother can eat his fill too, and Er'ya has new clothes! Papa says it all came from the Imperial Grandfather, and told me to remember the Imperial Grandfather's kindness and never forget it for my whole life! Uncle, is the Imperial Grandfather an old immortal? If Er'ya ever sees him, she'll kowtow to him many times, very loudly!"

Zhu Cilang behind Er'ya was about to speak, but Chongzhen stopped him with a look. Smiling at Er'ya, he said: "The Imperial Grandfather isn't an immortal. The Imperial Grandfather helps poor people. Your papa will earn even more money in the future, and Er'ya will have even more good things to eat! Uncle has to go now. When Uncle has time, he'll have someone bring you to play with the little brother, alright?"

Er'ya nodded seriously: "Er'ya will miss Uncle. When I go to your house, Er'ya will eat a whole lot—will I eat Uncle's family out of house and home?"

Chongzhen laughed heartily and said, "Er Ya, eat your fill without worry—Uncle's household has plenty to spare. One day, sooner or later, Uncle will make sure every child in the realm has enough to eat!"

Zhu Cilang looked at Er Ya and said solemnly, "I'll save some tasty treats for you to come and eat. You go home and keep an eye on your little brother—he was eating his own snot, I saw it. I have to go now!"

With that, he cupped his hands in an adult-like bow of farewell to Er Ya. Chongzhen smiled and led Zhu Cilang onto the carriage to return to the palace.

The carriage had traveled a long way off, yet Er Ya still stood in place, gazing in the direction they had gone.