Chapter 790: Two Million Eight Hundred Thousand

The army's forward scouts had not yet reached Xianyang when Chengyun came running over from Xi'an to greet them.

Once Liu Chengzong entered Xianyang, Ma Ning, who had just taken over as chiliarch of the scout cavalry, reported back that he had seen small campsites everywhere along the way — all seemingly Mongol troops grazing their horses.

Liu the Lion kept silent, only quietly ordering Zhang Yong to pass the word for the two brigades to keep their armor on and their horses saddled, ready for anything.

When Xianyang city sent over wine and food to reward the troops, Liu Chengzong finally looked up as he ate and asked Chengyun, "Why are there Tatar camps all over the outskirts of Xi'an?"

Chengyun was happily drinking mutton soup. The question came so out of nowhere that he froze on the spot, oil cake in hand, his brain struggling to catch up. "Huh? Brother, didn't you tell them to come?"

Now it was Liu the Lion's turn to freeze.

He had been on campaign for half a year, issuing orders all day long, long accustomed to cutting through matters with finality. He had also just won a tremendously great victory, his confidence at an all-time high, a moment when he would never doubt himself. Instinctively, he shot back, "When did I ever tell them to come?"

Chengyun, being good-natured, didn't take his sharp tone badly at all. He simply answered, as if it were obvious, "Last year."

Wow, you say that like it really happened.

Liu the Lion leaned back tactically. He had absolutely no memory of summoning Mongol troops to Xi'an, yet Chengyun's answer made it sound like there really was such a thing.

So, as if it really had happened, he asked, "Who all came?"

"Hmm... let me count."

Chengyun set down his bowl and, like he was rattling off dish names, counted on his fingers. "The Oirat Dzungar chief Baatur, his younger brother General Chokur — that's the Dzungar tribe. Durbet Dalai's fourth son, Ombud Dayiching, and his seventh son, Sonom Cheleng — that's the Durbet tribe."

"Then our own people: General Dai Daozi of the Tianshan Army, General Zhou of the Taimeng Garrison, Qinghai's brigade commanders Xie Erhu and Basang, Kangning's Generals Shangtianhou and Cuancuan, and the Muya chieftain from Dajianlu."

"Tumed chief Bayan and the two brothers of the Lhatsun Dharma King, come from Ü-Tsang. There were also various tribal chiefs from the southern and northern Gobi, but they went off to war with you, brother, and their envoys circled the northern Gobi and haven't returned yet."

That many people?

Liu Chengzong still couldn't recall what he had summoned them for. But hearing those familiar names, he had a good idea that there would be no trouble around Xi'an, and only then did he relax.

With his mind at ease, his tone lost its edge. He let out a chuckle and said, "Been out for over half a year — I've forgotten what I called them here for."

Chengyun had actually realized earlier that his second brother had been so busy killing and burning on this campaign that he must have forgotten. He smiled and explained, "After we took Xi'an last year, we sent word everywhere for them to come this summer for a covenant assembly."

With that reminder, Liu the Lion thought carefully, then slowly nodded. It seemed... it seemed there really was such a thing.

Back then, they had just taken Xi'an, and he still felt a bit unsteady. He had the idea of displaying his might to overawe his vassals, but limited by the great distances, he ordered them to come this summer.

But plans couldn't keep up with changes.

This year, the Marshal's army fought a battle in Liaodong and snapped over two hundred years of Later Jin's national fortune. Liu the Lion's heart was now exceptionally calm; he couldn't muster the slightest interest in overawing his vassals.

By the time he set out and crossed the Wei River, the various tribal chiefs were already waiting on the bank.

Liu the Lion swept his gaze over them and immediately spotted Baatur Khong Tayiji, who stood out strikingly from the crowd. To his left was Dai Daozi, to his right Dalai, the Vice Minister of the Military Bureau, and behind him a retinue of Oirat nobles — their presence the most imposing.

To the Oirats' left were Bayan and Lhatsun from Ü-Tsang. Shangtianhou Liu Jiusi and Liu Guoneng were there too, along with Ü-Tsang nobles and chieftains draped in silver and jewels. They were clearly unaccustomed to the environment of Xi'an Prefecture and carried a heavy air of lethargy.

On the right stood Zhou Riqiang and Chokur in full battle dress. Both were fierce, and the troops behind them were full of vigor. The forest nobles had all changed into Ming army uniforms, though limited supplies made them look a bit motley.

Liu the Lion was delighted the moment he saw them. He dismounted and strode over.

He raised a hand to stop Bayan, who was about to bow, clapped Baatur Khong Tayiji on the arm and exchanged a few words, then grasped Chokur's arm and squeezed it. He embraced Dai Daozi, greeted Shangtianhou Liu Jiusi and Chuangtata Liu Guoneng, and led Zhou Riqiang toward Xi'an.

Coming home felt wonderful.

Liu the Lion first entered the rear hall to pay his respects to his parents, then bathed and changed to wash away the dust of the campaign, letting Bai Liuxi trim the long hair that had grown wild since the eastern expedition.

Once tidied up, he had a casual meal that evening with Baatur Khong Tayiji, Bayan, Lhatsun, and the others. Soon after, he brought people into the Chengyun Hall of the Qin Prince's palace, had Zhao Jifang and Zhang Yuanheng deliver the last half-year's official documents, and summoned the officials of the five bureaus and the chief officers of each region.

The impact of the Liaodong campaign exceeded Liu the Lion's expectations. How great was it? The Marshal's headquarters had stopped fighting wars.

Li Guo, Colonel of the Reinforcement Suppression Battalion, had originally taken about a thousand men on orders to suppress bandits in Longxi.

Longxi had an enormous number of bandits. The many mountains were only part of it; the main cause was local chaos. Many so-called bandits were formerly Ming court officials, military officers, and routed soldiers.

Led by Qiao Qian'gao, the Prefect of Gongchang, and Tu Shixian, a Colonel of Ningxia, there was also a large group of officials from various counties, both civil and military.

After the great battle in Guanzhong, large numbers of Ming routed troops roamed Longxi, each faction seizing a hilltop and raising its banner. It was the most chaotic place in Shaanxi.

Dalai, Vice Minister of the Military Bureau and Durbet chief, had blocked them several times with the Training Garrison. Yang Yao, brigade commander of the Marshal's headquarters at Linliang, had also led campaigns to suppress them. They could swiftly pacify the area each time, but as soon as the army withdrew, the trouble would flare up again.

These people were extremely slippery, giving the Marshal's army a taste of what the Ming army must have felt like when suppressing the peasant armies.

Mainly, neither Yang Yao nor Dalai was skilled at the business of entering the mountains to suppress bandits.

So after Li Zicheng submitted, Liu Chengzong appointed Li Guo as Colonel of the Reinforcement Suppression Battalion and sent him to wipe out Qiao Qian'gao and Tu Shixian.

No one could have expected that when news of the Marshal's army's victory beyond the passes reached Longxi, the hard nut to crack surrendered the moment Li Guo arrived.

Moreover, bandit groups everywhere either disbanded on the spot or surrendered at the mere rumor of his approach. Many even held onto their troops, hoping to trade them for an official post in the Marshal's headquarters.

Even those old civil officials in Xi'an Prefecture with ambiguous attitudes began to waver.

Since Liu Chengzong had returned, Liu Laoye did not attend this council. Before it began, he merely handed over some Personnel Bureau matters to Chengyun and told him to report them to Liu the Lion.

At this moment, Chengyun spread his hands. "There are quite a few officials who wish to serve, and many of them are men of great talent, but the Marshal's headquarters has no suitable official posts for them."

Having said that, he glanced at a letter and looked up. "Therefore, Marshal, the Personnel Bureau proposes forming a Grand Secretariat."

Liu the Lion wanted to laugh the moment he heard the term "Grand Secretariat." He knew this was his father's idea, spoken through Chengyun's mouth. Smiling, he asked, "Form a Grand Secretariat — who are the candidates?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the Rites Bureau's position and saw Zhang Xianzhong puffing out his chest and raising his head, standing ramrod straight, afraid no one would notice him.

But Minister Zhang was destined for disappointment. Liu Laoye was a proper official and had no intention of establishing a military Grand Secretariat.

Chengyun unfolded the document and read out one by one: "Nan Juyi of Weinan County, formerly Governor of Fujian and Minister of Works. Now in his seventies, too old for routine duties. Proposed as Grand Secretary, to serve in an advisory capacity."

"Jiao Yuanqing of Sanyuan County, formerly Governor of Xuanfu. Nearing seventy, too old for routine duties. Proposed as Grand Secretary, to serve in an advisory capacity."

"Jiao Yuanpu of Sanyuan County, formerly Governor of Datong. Now in his sixties. Proposed as Grand Secretary, or for regional inspection tours."

"Ma Mingshi of Wugong County, formerly Vice Minister of Revenue. Proposed as Grand Secretary, to serve in an advisory capacity."

Chengyun rattled off a string of retired Ming officials in Shaanxi, making Liu Chengzong ask in surprise, "They're all willing to serve now?"

Of course they weren't all willing to serve.

It was just that after word of Liu Chengzong's victory beyond the passes came back, these people's attitudes had shifted dramatically, and they could now discuss future matters with Liu Laoye.

Shi Chengwo of the Works Bureau seized the moment, cupping his hands. "Marshal, there is also Wang Zheng of Sanyuan County, formerly Superintendent of Military Affairs in Liaodong. If he could come to the Works Bureau, this humble officer would gladly step aside for a worthier man."

That single sentence made Liu the Lion furrow his brow.

He could feel that the victory in the great battle east of the mountains had profoundly affected everyone in the Marshal's headquarters, as well as those former Ming officials still hovering on the periphery.

During this period, I, Shi Chengwo, have probably been under rather heavy pressure.

After all, Wang Zheng enjoys a reputation in toolmaking and Western learning as "Xu in the South, Wang in the North," and Nan Juyi once served as Minister of Works.

Now, with Liu Chengzong's great victory in the battle to "vent the old rancor of Sarhū, avenge the old shame of the Jisi year," those Ming court officials are taking the Marshal's Manor more seriously — yet the Marshal's Manor has no official posts for them to fill.

After all, among the several ministry heads in the Marshal's Manor, no one dares say a word about Old Master Liu or Chengyun, and Zhang Xianzhong is notoriously hot-tempered. The person who seems most suitable to vacate his position is me, Shi Chengwo, who contends with no one.

What's more, the casting modulus he uses for cannon-making was taught to him by Wang Zheng.

"Master Shi, if you are not equal to the affairs of the Works Office, I will naturally select another worthy man."

Liu Chengzong looked at Shi Chengwo and said this very seriously, then shifted his tone: "But for a long time now, Master Shi has supervised the manufacture of arms — unmatched anywhere under heaven. No one in Shaanxi is better suited than you, sir, for the ministry-head post of the Works Office."

"Stepping aside to yield to a worthier man — let's have no more of such jokes."

Liu the Lion let out a laugh, and only then relaxed as he said to Shi Chengwo, "I've just brought a batch of arms from Yulin and sent them to the Works Office for the craftsmen to study. You must work hard at it."

Shi Chengwo's heart was in turmoil. After thanking Liu Chengzong for his trust, he cupped his fists and accepted the order, but deep down he still lacked some confidence.

After all, he was merely of common artisan stock. Relying on the cannon-casting skills Wang Zheng had taught him, he had soared to the top in the Marshal's Manor, and during this time he had indeed been under no small pressure — the key point being that he, too, was a man of Sanyuan.

Liu the Lion did not pursue the matter further. He could only ensure that he himself would not make a wrong personnel decision under outside influence; as for the pressure in Shi Chengwo's heart, he could not help. In the end, Shi Chengwo would have to overcome it himself.

He turned to look at Chengyun and said, "Regarding the Grand Secretaries, do as you just proposed: have the Ministry of Personnel issue official dispatches and send official carriages to summon them as advisors. But if they are unwilling to come, do not force them, and still less tempt them with high office and rich posts."

"Let things take their course. If they wish to serve, they serve — by the Marshal Manor's old rule, they are retained at one rank lower in salary. If they do not wish to serve, let them live as idle gentry in retirement, as they please. As for retired aged officials, if their livelihood is impoverished and they have nothing to fall back on, they may send someone to the various government offices to seek aid. The authorities should, in view of their former posts, provide appropriate assistance."

"But beyond that..." Liu Chengzong shook his head. "It is not appropriate to grant them extra privileges. Even a Grand Secretary may not interfere in the affairs of the Six Offices or the localities."

At these words from Liu Chengzong, the officers and officials of the Marshal's Manor in the hall who were qualified to deliberate all breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Quite a few of them had been badly startled by Shi Chengwo's remark about stepping aside to yield to a worthier man.

Nothing like that had ever happened in the Marshal's Manor. Many of the old guard knew of Shi Chengwo's ties to Wang Zheng, but if the head of the Works Office were to step aside for a worthier man, would others have to do the same in the future?

Clearly, Liu Chengzong's attitude on this matter was: no, they would not.

To everyone else's ears, that naturally meant that worth and ability could not outweigh merit and hard toil — and with that, they felt reassured.

Liu the Lion watched them all breathe their sighs of relief and naturally found it amusing. He said, "Sev... several hundred thousand common folk each contributed a single grain of tax or a single copper coin — they all count as having lent their strength to the great victory in Liaodong, let alone all of you. The Marshal's Manor owes its present standing in some measure to my efforts, but among all of you in this hall, who has given any less? You must never belittle or demean yourselves."

"And the reverse holds true as well. The Great Ming has come to its present state — the Emperor's own efforts are indispensable to that, yet which of them did not contribute a share? One after another, they styled themselves lofty worthies and great talents, all once held high office, yet on the battlefield they suffered defeat after defeat. In the ruin of the realm's affairs, not one of them can shirk responsibility."

"Only victory can prove whether a man is worthy and able."

Liu Chengzong said this with great earnestness, then smiled at the assembly. "To my eye, their talent and ability, compared to all of you, falls far short!"

At that, the hall erupted in roaring laughter.

This was, of course, merely pleasant talk. Liu the Lion was not so blind that he could not recognize a person's capability.

To say nothing of others, take a man like Nan Juyi: he toured Fujian as Grand Coordinator, dispatched ten thousand troops across the sea to attack the Red-haired Barbarians, and had a stele carved at Penghu. To say he was fit to serve as both general and chancellor would be no exaggeration.

In the entire Marshal's Manor, you could not find an official more outstanding or more familiar with the southern environment — far stronger even than the highly skilled Wang Zheng.

But so what?

He was not blind; in saying this, he was of course calling a deer a horse. But that was because he was no fool.

In the scene before him, everyone in the hall was his own political base, while as for those few old gentlemen, it was still uncertain whether they were even willing to come over to him.

If Nan Juyi came sincerely to join him tomorrow, then he would naturally sweep the couch and welcome him, treating him with even greater reverence than he had shown Elder Qian the Grand Secretary, and keep him highly honored.

But today, he could not, for the sake of a few ambiguous outsiders, chill the hearts of the old brothers who had followed him for years.

As for his subordinates, Liu the Lion would of course demand that they appoint men on merit.

Because when there is work to be done, everyone instinctively appoints those close to them; only after closeness can one know whether a man is mediocre or worthy.

But to prevent his subordinates from building personal factions, wasting coin and grain on parasites, and blocking the path of advancement for those with real talent, he had to emphasize to others the principle of appointing men on merit.

Liu the Lion imposed no such requirement on himself. He had to build his own faction. Loyalty to him was the prerequisite for holding office in the Marshal's Manor.

If a man could not even meet or convincingly feign this small requirement, and still expected him to grant office — was he supposed to wait until that man held power and commanded troops, then rebel?

Liu Chengzong waited until the laughter had quieted, then shook his head slightly. "I said just now that several hundred thousand common folk contributed grain — did I undercount? Chengyun, just how many people are under our governance?"

Hearing Liu the Lion finally ask about this, Chengyun immediately stepped forward and said, "In reply to the Grand Marshal, the Marshal's Manor administers thirteen prefectures, thirteen subprefectures, and three horse-pasturage directorates. The total number of adult males is..."

Chengyun pressed his lips together, holding back a smile, and paused as he looked at Liu Chengzong. Only under that expectant gaze did he finally speak: "Two million, eight hundred and thirty thousand, one hundred and thirty-one."

Good evening!