Chapter 44: Sun Chengzong

In the fourth year of Chongzhen, most of those who had worked behind the scenes to force Sun Chengzong out of office and send him home were still serving at court, and Wen Tiren in particular had risen to the exalted position of Chief Grand Secretary. If Sun Chengzong were thrust directly into the post of Governor-General of Xuan-Da, it would be like placing him over a fire to roast; moreover, the current Governor-General Liang Tingdong could not be dismissed without cause. With internal strife and external threats pressing in, some compromise with the civil official faction was still necessary for the time being — these fellows were the classic type who could not accomplish anything but could ruin everything.

It seemed the only way forward was to retreat in order to advance. With this in mind, the Emperor ordered the Grand Secretaries to be summoned for deliberation.

Winter had arrived. Back in the Qianqing Palace, the best place to conduct business was naturally the warm chamber, where the heated floor made the room as warm as spring. The only regret was that the space was somewhat cramped.

"Minister Wen, you have passed your sixtieth year by now, have you not?" the Emperor asked.

"To answer Your Majesty, your old minister is sixty-three." Wen Tiren replied, feeling somewhat puzzled inwardly — why would His Majesty ask about his age upon summoning him? Could it be that he was being deemed too old? At this thought, he hastily added: "Though my years are many, I have not yet declined!"

"Mm, very good. Minister Wen, you are old but vigorous, and I am most gratified. Minister Zhang, you are somewhat younger than Minister Wen, are you not?" the Emperor continued.

"To answer Your Majesty, your minister is one year younger than Grand Secretary Wen, and my health is still passable." Zhang Zhifa replied cautiously.

"Excellent, excellent! Though all you ministers are advanced in years, every one of you is old but vigorous — I am very pleased! Previously, the gentleman Sun of Gaoyang submitted a memorial to me, advising that I make vigorous use of firearms, and stating that only firearms could check the Jianzhou barbarians and Tartar slaves. I feel that what Mr. Sun said is most correct, and I have already issued an edict for the Yongwei Camp to expand its firearm battalion. Though Mr. Sun is advanced in years, dwelling among the common folk, he still worries for his sovereign — I am deeply moved!"

The assembled Grand Secretaries all felt uneasy at heart upon hearing the Emperor mention Sun Chengzong.

It had been Wen Tiren at the head, with the others as accomplices, who had driven the highly respected Sun Chengzong back home. Now the Emperor suddenly brought up Sun Chengzong — could he be planning to reinstate him? By Sun Chengzong's seniority, none of the Grand Secretaries present could compare — the man was a veteran of three reigns, a key minister under both Tianqi and Chongzhen. If he returned to court, it would be indefensible for him not to become Chief Grand Secretary. And if Sun Chengzong became Chief Grand Secretary, should he bear a grudge over the wrongs of those years, who knew how he might retaliate.

Wen Tiren clasped his hands and said: "Mr. Sun, past seventy, can still share Your Majesty's and the court's burdens — I am truly in admiration. At such an age, the old gentleman can stay home enjoying his grandchildren and passing his remaining years in comfort — how enviable!"

Zhang Zhifa said: "If your old minister ever reaches Mr. Sun's age, I would naturally do as the old gentleman does — return to my hometown to till the fields and read books, gazing at the southern mountains in leisure. Would that not be wonderful!" Wang Yingxiong and Zheng Yiwei chimed in with agreement.

The Emperor laughed inwardly. The two of them were saying between the lines that Sun Chengzong was too advanced in years and should not return to the court — the great affairs of state were still for them, these "young men" in their sixties, to worry about.

The Emperor spoke: "That the ministers of the Grand Secretariat labor over state affairs, I am well aware. But if there were a highly respected elder minister at the helm, the burdens on your shoulders would be lightened somewhat. I truly cannot bear to see my Grand Secretaries toiling from dawn till dusk!"

"It suffices that Your Majesty is at the helm. It is our duty to serve the state, and we feel not the slightest fatigue!" Wen Tiren hastily replied.

"What Grand Secretary Wen says is the true sentiment of us all!"

"Grand Secretary Wen speaks most correctly — Your Majesty is the helmsman of our Great Ming's great ship!"

"Your minister concurs with Grand Secretary Wen's words!"

The others all voiced their agreement in turn.

The Emperor frowned in thought, while Wen Tiren and the others watched him with eager eyes.

After a long while, the Emperor said: "Since you ministers feel yourselves equal to the task, I have nothing more to say. It is only a pity that Mr. Sun's sincere desire to serve the state must go to waste — my heart truly cannot rest easy over it. After all, he is a minister of three reigns, and his loyalty is commendable!" Everyone present secretly breathed a long sigh of relief.

Wen Tiren bowed and said: "Your Majesty may issue an edict commending Mr. Sun, and any of his descendants with ambition may receive official appointment through imperial grace. Thus Mr. Sun will naturally be deeply grateful to Your Majesty!"

The Emperor said: "Even if Mr. Sun had not submitted his memorial, I would still extend such grace. I merely feel that a man of Mr. Sun's great talent left idle in the countryside is truly a waste."

The ministers fell silent. It seemed the Emperor had not yet given up the notion of bringing Sun Chengzong into the Grand Secretariat. The several of them exchanged glances and instantly reached a consensus — no matter what, Sun Chengzong must not be allowed to return.

The Emperor shifted the topic, frowning: "I have heard that along the Xuan-Da line the Tartars are frequently raiding the passes. Though casualties among soldiers and civilians are not heavy, the Xuan-Da line has heavy troops stationed for defense — how can the Tartars be allowed to run so rampant? Could it be that the Governor-General and Governor lack the ability to control the army?"

Wen Tiren caught the implication at once, stepped forward, clasped his hands and said: "Liang Tingdong, as Governor-General, is weak by nature! The Xuan-Da region is the capital's shield — a senior minister must be chosen to oversee its military and civilian affairs. Only thus can the capital rest easy!"

"Then in your view, who can bear this heavy responsibility?" the Emperor asked.

"Sun Chengzong, Mr. Sun, once oversaw Liaodong as Governor-General, and neither soldier nor civilian dared defy him. Your minister recommends him for the post at Xuan-Da!"

"Your minister seconds the motion."

"Your old minister seconds the motion."

"Your minister seconds the motion."

The Emperor gave no verdict, sighing: "And how is Liang Tingdong to be dealt with? After all, he is a high official of governor rank."

"Such a one who occupies a post without doing his duty — how can he be allowed to cling to high office and do nothing? He should naturally be dismissed and sent home!" Wen Tiren declared with fervor.

The Emperor waved his hand: "You ministers may withdraw. I am weary." The ministers bowed and took their leave.

After they had gone a good distance from the warm chamber, Wang Yingxiong spoke: "Grand Secretary Wen, why let Sun Chengzong take Xuan-Da? Are you not afraid he will get a grip on those military men and win merit for himself? Then what if His Majesty brings him into the Grand Secretariat?"

Wen Tiren sighed: "Given His Majesty's decisive nature, if we did not yield a step today, His Majesty might well bypass court nomination and directly elevate him into the Grand Secretariat. Then how would you and I fare? As for whether he wins merit afterward — we shall see."

"But Liang Tingdong has sent his seasonal gifts without fail — don't any of you claim you haven't received them!" Wang Yingxiong was Liang Tingdong's co-parent by marriage; his eldest daughter had married Liang Tingdong's eldest son.

Wen Tiren stopped in his tracks and said with a blank expression: "This old man has never accepted gifts from anyone. Grand Secretary Wang, mind yourself!" With that he flicked his sleeve and strode off.

Wang Yingxiong's face went white with rage. Zhang Zhifa hurried to smooth things over: "Grand Secretary Wang, pray do not be angry. Once this storm passes, we can find an opportunity to have him reinstated!"

Wang Yingxiong said bitterly: "You don't accept because you don't dare! Half the officials at court find you disagreeable — if you dared accept gifts, the memorials of impeachment would pile up high enough to cover His Majesty's desk! A hypocritical little man, humph!" The others all fell silent. Wang Yingxiong stalked off in a huff, and the rest followed behind him out of the palace.

A few days later, Wang Cheng'en, who had been sent by imperial decree to visit Sun Chengzong, returned to the Qianqing Palace. Upon learning that Sun Chengzong had come with him, the Emperor promptly summoned him.

For this famous loyal minister of the late Ming, the Emperor felt profound admiration from the depths of his heart — resisting the alien invaders and dying for his country, fighting to the end even knowing death was certain. This was true national integrity, the backbone that upheld this nation.

Sun Chengzong moved to perform the full ceremonial obeisance, but the Emperor hastily rose to stop him. Sun Chengzong nevertheless insisted on bowing once, and only then sat down on the brocade stool that Wang Cheng'en had brought over.

The Emperor said with a smile: "I had intended to wait until Mr. Sun had rested a night before summoning you, but I am an impatient man. I ask Mr. Sun's forgiveness — the journey has been arduous!"

"If Your Majesty summons your old minister, it must be for matters of state — how can there be talk of hardship! Though my years are many, my bones are still sturdy, and I can yet serve the court for several more years!" Sun Chengzong's voice boomed like a great bell, full of vigor. In his youth he had traversed every border pass of the Great Ming, forging a strong physique — though already seventy-three, he showed not the slightest sign of senile frailty.

"Seeing Mr. Sun as robust as ever, I am very pleased! The reason I have summoned you this time is that I have a heavy responsibility I wish to entrust to you!" the Emperor said warmly.

Sun Chengzong rose to his feet, clasped his hands and said: "Whatever Your Majesty wishes to entrust, pray give the command. Your old minister dares say he still has some ability, and is especially well versed in the affairs of the Nine Border Garrisons. May I ask where Your Majesty intends to send your old minister?!"

The Emperor hastily said: "Mr. Sun, please be seated. It is precisely because I know you are deeply versed in border affairs that I wish to entrust the post of Governor-General of Xuan-Da to you. What is your view on the matter?"

Sun Chengzong was taken aback at these words, then spoke: "Could the Tartars have stirred up border trouble again? The Xuan-Da line has heavy troops stationed by the court, and Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei are both generals long stationed at the frontier. The Tartars have declined in recent years — surely they would not launch a large-scale campaign to provoke conflict? Could it be that Governor-General Liang cannot keep those proud and unruly soldiers in check?"

The Emperor nodded approvingly: "Mr. Sun speaks most correctly! Through two hundred years of sustained strikes by our dynasty, the Tartar tribes have become severely divided, and for many years no figure of great talent and ambition has emerged among them. A thoroughly fragmented people no longer poses a major threat to the Great Ming. Our only concern now is Jianzhou!"

Sun Chengzong said: "Your Majesty sees clearly. The Jianzhou barbarians are truly the court's mortal threat — if they are not checked, we will sooner or later suffer their backlash! Your old minister, from the first year of Tianqi when I took charge of Liaodong, dealt with the Jianzhou barbarians for ten years and watched them grow stronger day by day. The old slave Nurhaci and the present barbarian chieftain Hong Taiji are both men of deep schemes. Their rise has already taken shape, and the situation in Liaodong may well deteriorate disastrously. Your minister had assumed that this time Your Majesty would send me back to Liaodong — I never expected it to be the Xuan-Da line!"

The Emperor smiled: "I naturally know the importance of Ji-Liao, but I also know the complexity of the Liaodong situation. To completely reverse the situation there will still require much time. For now, Liaodong can barely hold on. The urgent task at hand is the roving bandits ravaging the Central Plains. To deal with external threats, one must first pacify internal disorder — only after removing the affliction at the heart can we free our hands to fully resolve the border threat!"

Sun Chengzong clasped his hands and said: "Your minister dares not concur with what Your Majesty says. I believe the Jianzhou barbarians are the court's true mortal threat! As for the roving bandits, most of them are merely starving folk clutching wooden staves. If Governor-General Hong and Governor Lu employ both suppression and amnesty, the bandits will not prove a lasting concern. I pray Your Majesty will clearly perceive this reasoning!"

The Emperor thought to himself: I come from a later age, so of course I know that what ultimately destroyed the Great Ming was precisely these roving bandits you do not take seriously — the Manchus merely picked up the spoils. Had Li Zicheng and his kind not thrown the heartland of the Great Ming into complete chaos, by the Manchus' actual strength they could never have conquered the whole of the Ming realm. Of course, none of this could be spoken aloud.

The Emperor laughed: "The Jianzhou barbarians are like a hungry wolf crouching in the grass, waiting for the chance to tear a piece of flesh from the Great Ming. To deal with a hungry wolf, one must first beat it until it is hurt and crippled, so that it temporarily lacks the strength to bite again. Only after the Great Ming has healed its wounds can it finish the wolf off completely. But let us not discuss that for now. For this term of office at Xuan-Da, I hope the old gentleman will thoroughly rectify the border troops, strictly enforce military discipline, investigate and eliminate phantom payrolls, and weed out the old and weak. Once the situation stabilizes next year, vigorously develop military farmland to support the troops and restore the guard stations' proper functions. I will arrange for the relevant offices to cooperate with you — act boldly and without hesitation. You need not fear rumors at court; I will shield ministers who dare to take responsibility from wind and rain. I am drawing one thousand cavalry from the Yongwei Camp to serve as the old gentleman's governor's personal battalion, accompanying you to your post to bolster the court's prestige!"

Sun Chengzong naturally agreed wholeheartedly. Sovereign and minister conversed a while longer, then Sun Chengzong took his leave and returned to his inn to rest.

A few days later, Chang Ziyu, Supervising Secretary of the Bureau of Military Affairs, submitted an impeachment of Xuan-Da Governor-General Liang Tingdong for cowardice in the face of the enemy. The memorial stated that during the previous Tartar raid on the border, several commoners had been killed, gold, silver, and goods had been plundered, and the border troops had cowered within the city walls, not daring to give battle. The Emperor flew into a rage and issued an edict dismissing Liang Tingdong from his post as Governor-General, ordering the Grand Secretariat to recommend a candidate for Governor-General of Xuan-Da.

Chief Grand Secretary Wen Tiren, Second Grand Secretary Zhang Zhifa, and the others unanimously recommended the former Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong to take up the post, and the Emperor gladly agreed. Sun Chengzong thus proceeded to Xuan-Da bearing the title of Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, with one thousand cavalry accompanying him in grand array.