Chapter 210: Pidao, Tianjin, Denglai

"Since we're establishing the military academy, we must treat everyone equally. Issue the decree—make it known these are my true intentions: anyone who signs up in the first batch when the academy opens, regardless of quality, will be admitted without exception. But after all, my purpose in founding the academy is to cultivate core military officers for the dynasty. Whether the first batch of students can remain at the academy for further study will depend on their abilities."

"Also, have Gao Jie's son Xu Yuanjue, Huang Degong's son Huang Yuxuan, Bai Guangen's son Bai Lianggong, Tang Tong's son Tang Hanfu, Wu Sangui's son Wu Yingxiong, and Zhou Yuji's son Zhou Boming come to the capital to enroll in the military academy. As sons of our Great Ming's military families, they cannot simply keep wielding swords and spears all day—they should know something of the art of war as well."

"Furthermore, have the Ministry of War first send official notices to the Governors and Governors-General of all regions, as well as Prefects and Subprefects. As for the Regional Commanders, Fort Commanders, Defense Commanders, and even Garrison Commanders of the various garrisons—so long as they are willing, their sons and nephews may all come to the academy to train and broaden their experience!"

"Of course, I will not force this matter. Those who wish to serve the state will naturally flock here in droves; those who only think of resisting the court and wreaking havoc in their regions will naturally pretend not to have seen it."

"The dynasty appoints people by ability above all. I trust in the abilities of your sons and nephews—they will not lose to ordinary soldiers. Do you all think what I have said is wrong?"

When the Chongzhen Emperor spoke, he deliberately noted that the eldest sons of Gao Jie and the others should come to the academy to study. Those named naturally had no room for choice—the Emperor's golden words were as good as a sacred decree to be obeyed, meaning they absolutely had to come.

As for the military commanders elsewhere, it was harder to say. Those loyal to the court would naturally send their sons, nephews, and brothers to study—after all, unlike those warlords with ulterior motives, they had no worries about the consequences. The honor of being the Son of Heaven's disciples was something they had dreamed of for ages.

As for those other commanders who openly defied the court's decree and refused to come, the Chongzhen Emperor's meaning had been made perfectly clear. Even if he said and did nothing for now, he would still note it down in his little book, and deal with them one by one when the time came.

Hearing the Emperor's question, the assembled members of the Emperor's faction did not hesitate for a moment, and quickly shouted in unison: "Your Majesty is sagacious! Your ministers will do their utmost to bring the military academy to fruition."

The Chongzhen Emperor gave a satisfied "Mm," and said: "Since no one has any objections, this matter will be raised by Grand Secretary Jiang at tomorrow's morning court. After a brief discussion, it will be settled."

"The Ministry of Works can begin preparations today. Recruiting craftsmen, purchasing materials, and selecting a site are all delicate tasks. Minister Feng, I must trouble you to put extra care into this."

This Emperor was no pushover—Feng Quan knew this well from experience. Having been addressed directly by the Emperor this time, how could he dare to be presumptuous? He immediately declared his position: "Rest assured, Your Majesty. The Imperial family's affairs are the greatest of matters. With the construction of this military academy placed in the Ministry of Works' hands, there will absolutely be no errors."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Your minister will personally supervise the entire process. Should anything go wrong, Your Majesty may hold this old minister accountable."

"Minister Feng, you speak too gravely. I still trust in your abilities—otherwise I would not have entrusted such an important matter to you." The Chongzhen Emperor smiled, personally went down to help Feng Quan to his feet, and then said with his hands clasped behind his back:

"Let us conclude today's discussion here. Have Cao Huachun and Li Fengxiang come to see me at intervals of one hour each."

After everyone had left, Li Fengxiang, the brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, heard the Emperor's summons and was first overcome with flattered surprise. Arriving alone at the Winter Warm Pavilion, he saw that even Fang Zhenghua, the Intendant of the Inner Depot who ordinarily never left the Emperor's side protecting him, was not present. Overcome with trepidation, he knelt on the ground and cried out:

"This servant Fang Zhenghua pays respects to Your Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years."

"No need for such formality—have a seat first. This time I wish to speak with you about matters concerning Pidao and Shandong. It may trouble you to make several more trips out." The Chongzhen Emperor gestured for Li Fengxiang to sit to one side, flipping through memorials as he spoke.

"To be able to handle affairs for Your Majesty, to handle affairs for the Imperial family—that is a great blessing this servant dares to hope for but never dares to request. If Your Majesty will but speak, this servant will surely accomplish it properly." On the one hand, Li Fengxiang felt deeply favored by imperial grace and was eager to show his commitment; on the other, he had heard something of the Pidao matter before and knew it was no easy bone to gnaw, so he felt some apprehension.

Seeing Li Fengxiang sitting there with only one buttock touching the seat, the Chongzhen Emperor said nothing, and without raising his head continued: "Regarding the Gu Mei affair from some time ago—how did that Chiliarch named Gao Wencai handle it?"

"To report to Your Majesty, in accordance with your wishes, this servant did not have anyone make things difficult for him. He was merely dismissed from office, and that was the end of it. He was moved to tears of gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness, and is now idle at home."

After hearing Li Fengxiang's report, the Chongzhen Emperor nodded, thinking to himself that the man had been obedient enough—what he said largely matched what the Embroidered Uniform Guard had secretly investigated. He then said: "I was thinking—this man is a strong and capable fellow. Would it not be a waste for him to sit idle at home?"

"Moreover, presenting Gu Mei was truly a case of good intentions leading to a wrong deed. The Empress and I both bear some fault, and after all this time, the anger has subsided."

"Go to his door and give him a hint. If this man still has the heart to serve the state and to serve me, let him take up a post in the Denglai region. I have heard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard Chiliarchy there has fallen into ruin. If he can rebuild it and continue sending intelligence to the capital, that can count as atoning for his crimes through merit."

"Oh, and do not mention this matter to anyone. Have him disguise himself and leave the city quietly—just bring his documents."

Li Fengxiang quickly said: "Rest assured, Your Majesty. This servant will go to his door and speak with him as soon as I leave. Upon hearing this news, he will surely be even more devoted to Your Majesty, body and soul."

The Chongzhen Emperor gave an "Mm," and his expression suddenly turned grave as he said: "You already know about the Pidao and military academy matters. Although Shandong is not one of the Nine Frontier Garrisons, it is still an important province. You must personally go and ask Mou Wenshou, Mou Wenju, Qiu Lei, and the others what they think about sending their sons and nephews to the capital for study."

"As for Pidao—I had originally thought to send Huang Degong, Regional Commander of the Ji Garrison, and Vice Regional Commander Yang Yufan. But considering that the situation of the Liaodong army at Shanhai Pass is still unclear, and Jizhou remains weak, we can only make our move from Denglai by sea."

"The current Regional Commander of Denglai is Chen Hongfan. Go and remind him—he and Pidao are one body. If anything goes wrong on Pidao, I will replace both the Denglai Governor's office and the Denglai Marshal's headquarters with capable men."

Li Fengxiang hurriedly said: "Rest assured, Your Majesty. Once this servant leaves, I will go run the errand. After speaking with Gao Wencai, I will leave the capital that very night for Shandong."

"Go."

Not long after Li Fengxiang left, Cao Huachun, the Intendant of the Western Depot, also came alone. In truth, he already knew that the Chongzhen Emperor had met with Li Fengxiang beforehand.

After the requisite formalities of greeting, the Chongzhen Emperor got straight to the point:

"Some days ago, due to the fighting on Pidao, the court proposed establishing the new post of Tianjin Naval Commissioner-in-Chief, and drilling a Tianjin naval force to support Pidao. I think this plan is feasible—let us settle it."

"Earlier today, I suddenly recalled that Zhang Mingzhen you recommended several years ago. If I remember correctly, he is currently serving as a Naval Defense Assistant Regional Commander at Shipu, is he not?"

Cao Huachun did indeed believe Zhang Mingzhen was a rare naval warfare talent. It was several years ago that he had first recommended the man to the Chongzhen Emperor, who at the time had been unimpressed, feeling the man's credentials were still shallow, and had tossed him into the Naval Defense Assistant Regional Commander post where he had served for years. That the Emperor had suddenly thought of him now when establishing the Tianjin Naval Commissioner-in-Chief post was something of a good thing.

With puzzled thoughts, Cao Huachun replied respectfully: "To report to Your Majesty, this man has served in the post of Naval Defense Assistant Regional Commander at Shipu for many years, with considerable military merit, and is quite loyal to the court. It is said he commands no small number of battle-tested ships and boats."

The Chongzhen Emperor nodded and said:

"In years past I felt this man's credentials were still shallow. Now it is time to bring out the mule or the horse and see which it can do."

"Issue the decree: promote Zhang Mingzhen, Naval Defense Assistant Regional Commander of Shipu, to serve as Tianjin Naval Commissioner-in-Chief, with the additional titles of Right Commissioner-in-Chief of the Five Military Commissions and Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. He is to bring his original subordinates to Tianjin and assume his post by the appointed date."