Chapter 848

"You have always opposed His Majesty's campaign against Luchuan because it consumes enormous resources yet yields minimal returns; you believe the southwestern frontier produces little in annual taxes, and in years of disaster, it demands vast sums of grain and money, making the annual garrison expenses far exceed its gains—is that not so?"

Kuang Ye, unaware that the discussion had turned to withdrawal, nevertheless replied calmly: "Your Grace misunderstands—we have not abandoned Luchuan; we merely seek to win the people's hearts, promote civil education, and let the border folk bask in His Majesty's benevolence…"

The Duke of Ying scoffed: "Without martial education, how could civil education ever take root?"

"Emperor Taizong of Tang intimidated the realm and brought all lands to submission—not because of virtue, but because of might; he earned submission through every slash and thrust of his sword!" the Duke of Ying said. "During our own Taizong's reign, whether in the southwest or the north, even the Japanese pirates at sea dared not set foot on shore—not because Taizong possessed civil virtue, but because he waged campaigns south and north, striking terror across the land!"

Kuang Ye frowned: "Rule by might cannot endure; only civil education, teaching the barbarians the values of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness, can bring submission without war."

"You, Vice Minister Kuang, are a capable administrator who has accompanied Wang Ji on several campaigns—do you truly believe civil rule can succeed without might?"

Kuang Ye fell silent.

The Duke of Ying spoke without expression: "Here today, there is no distinction between military and civil officials. Set aside these titles—answer me, Vice Minister Kuang: Can civil education alone make the vassal states submit?"

Kuang Ye struggled to speak: "Naturally not—but the Luchuan campaign drains the treasury; because of the ever-increasing military taxes, the people suffer hardship. Now, Deng Maoqi's rebellion in Fujian…"

"Do not blame Deng Maoqi's rebellion on military taxes," the Duke of Ying said sternly. "If local officials had not extorted and exploited so ruthlessly, the military taxes collected from soldiers and civilians across the realm could easily fund ten Luchuan campaigns."

Kuang Ye pressed his forehead: "You speak truthfully—these past years, court governance has declined from its former clarity; the imperial court must reform official and popular morals. But Your Grace, is this the time to discuss this? The urgent matter is escorting His Majesty back to the capital…"

"I have no time," the Duke of Ying cut him off again, voice heavy. "I want you to understand why I support His Majesty's Luchuan campaign."

Perhaps the Duke of Ying's resolve and sorrow quieted Kuang Ye, who began to listen intently.

The Duke of Ying felt comforted—his choice of Kuang Ye among all civil and military officials had not been in vain.

Aside from Jing Yuan, perhaps only Kuang Ye was this sliver of hope.

The Duke of Ying said: "After the Jingnan Rebellion, Taizong moved the capital to Beijing—'holding the heavy to control the light'—so he strengthened northern defenses and launched five expeditions against the northern steppes during his reign."

Seeing Kuang Ye frown, the Duke of Ying smirked: "I know—you'll say Taizong exhausted the state through endless warfare, leaving the treasury empty, unlike the benevolent, gentle reigns of Renzong and Xuanzong. But Renzong and Xuanzong maintained peace only because they relied on Taizong's lingering might."

"Now that lingering might fades—hence the unrest in the southwest, the chaos in the northwest, and even a tiny overseas vassal state dares to send soldiers and civilians as pirates, landing repeatedly to slaughter our Great Ming people."

"To you, the Oirat southward advance may seem sudden. To me, it is the culmination of over a decade of accumulated strength—its arrival was inevitable."

The Duke of Ying rose and unrolled the map hanging on the wall. It was densely covered with circles and arrows. Kuang Ye stepped forward to look—and his heart trembled.

The map marked garrisons, especially in the northeast, northwest, and southwest. It was cluttered with indecipherable symbols; without the Duke of Ying's explanation, he would have been dizzy from staring.

The Duke of Ying pointed to the northern region: "Since Renzong ceased active foreign campaigns, Oirat Toghan gradually unified the Mongol tribes; in the south, Li Li of Jiaozhi began seizing cities and lands; in the southwest, Luchuan probed repeatedly; in the northeast, the Nuergan garrison's discipline collapsed… Yet for over a decade, the court gradually abandoned Jiaozhi, ignored Luchuan's probes or pacified them with gold, and allowed Jianzhou to govern itself…"

The Duke of Ying sneered: "For these past dozen years or more, Jianzhou and Togan, along as Arughtai, exchanged frequent envoys—but the court turned a blind eye, relying solely on bribes. The Oirat, Jianzhou, and Japanese pirates each tribute mission demanded more, unrestrainedly. The court never punished them—instead, it retreated further, offering lavish gifts to quell tensions."

"It was these repeated probes and retreats that fed their ambition, fattened their boldness—hence Deng Maoqi's rebellion, hence the Oirat's southern advance today."

The Duke of Ying: "You blame His Majesty for launching the Luchuan campaign. I see hope in it—he has finally broken from the passive defense of his grandfather and father. But…"

He paused, then said: "He is too eager—and he trusts Wang Zhen too blindly."

Kuang Ye suddenly remembered: though the Duke of Ying had always supported the Emperor's Luchuan campaign, he had also always opposed Wang Zhen's involvement in military and state affairs.

Kuang Ye's gaze flickered—he thought of Wang Ji.

Wang Ji's campaigns were never smooth—he had once been imprisoned and nearly executed.

At that time, Wang Zhen's stance was ambiguous; only after the Duke of Ying intervened did Wang Zhen persuade the Emperor to release Wang Ji and send him to Luchuan to redeem himself.

They had always believed Wang Ji's failure to capture Luchuan was due to Wang Zhen's orders.

But did Wang Ji truly obey Wang Zhen—or was he forced to, while still trying to alter outcomes within his limited power?

The Duke of Ying paused on Luchuan and turned to the Oirat's southern advance.

"Border strategy, like the people's livelihood, must be ever-present—not neglected in peace, falsely assuming all is well under heaven. You are scholars—you need no reminder of the saying 'think of danger in times of peace.' This Oirat southward advance seems sudden, but it was long planned. Yet among the entire court, only Yu Qian, Left Vice Minister of War, foresaw this. You imagine sending a single border general to stop the enemy beyond Datong? Such arrogance will one day leave you as ruined as Guo Deng."

oCo

Kuang Ye's heart trembled—he dared not believe, yet dared not disbelieve.

This was the Duke of Ying—the man who, upon arriving in Datong, immediately sensed something amiss and sent him to investigate the true military situation. Could such a sharp man be speaking in alarmist exaggeration?

The Duke of Ying said: "I am over seventy. I retired during Xuanzong's reign—what honor could I possibly gain by risking my name?"

Only then did Kuang Ye notice the Duke's lips were pale. He recalled the Duke had taken sick leave yesterday—and his eyes stung: "Your Grace…"

The Duke of Ying gently patted his hand: "You civil officials have integrity. Wang Zhen, though long by His Majesty's side and cunning, lacks brains—especially in warfare. His repeated commands and arrangements prove it. I insisted you stay because I need you to resist Wang Zhen's orders."

"When generals are abroad, they may disregard imperial edicts—if you win, everything else will be forgiven."

"Once Wang Zhen departs, he cannot return to hold you accountable. So heed his orders only as you see fit—act as circumstances demand, and always prioritize the foundation of the Great Ming."