[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming":3,"chapter-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-978":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Unorthodox Sword of Ming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2338183,4570,"Chapter 978","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-978",978,"\u003Cp>Chen Xun was persuaded and immediately took him to select a site.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, choose the location for the textile factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The textile factory must be divided into two parts: one for research and manufacturing of spinning and weaving machines, the other for spinning thread and weaving cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloth is fine, but weaving and spinning machines require great power, so placing them in the capital is unsuitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After discussing, the two decided Tianjinwei was more suitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Tianjinwei is not far from the capital; second, Tianjinwei has a port.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the sea ban has been lifted, even goods for domestic sale can be transported by sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the ironworks...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, none of the areas near the capital are suitable; the better locations are still Shandong, Jiangxi, and Fujian, where iron ore is abundant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two could not agree on the ironworks site, so since the blueprints were provided by Pan Yun, they went to ask her opinion—of course, to avoid suspicion of factionalism, they had the Emperor summon her and asked her in his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the National Teacher first devised this plan, did you intend to place the ironworks somewhere specific?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “You just said where the iron ore is most abundant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Cheng said: “Currently, state-run iron mines are mainly in Shandong, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Yunnan; there are also some near the capital, in Jinghai, but their output is low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said: “As for the richest iron ore deposits in our Great Ming, none compare to Liaodong Military Commission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor and Yu Qian and others were startled; Chen Xun sat up straight: “Where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Liaodong—don’t you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned to look at Minister of Works Hu Cheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Cheng’s face grew grim; under their gazes, a faint sweat broke out on his brow: “The Ministry of Works has never surveyed the iron ore situation there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said softly: “Not only Liaodong Military Commission, but also Nuergan Military Commission has vast iron ore deposits, as well as coal and copper mines.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Qian suddenly understood—no wonder, no wonder His Majesty treated all other frontier tribes and tributary states with a mix of benevolence and authority, yet showed greater benevolence than threat toward the Jurchen clans who had recently committed grave offenses and were suspected of colluding with the Oirats, even sending an envoy team to pacify them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this “pacification” really just a cover for surveillance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Qian: “If so, we cannot treat Nuergan Military Commission as we did during the Xuande and former Emperor’s reigns. Your Majesty, I humbly request dispatching officials to inspect Liaodong Military Commission, reorganize its guard battalions, and revise border policy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Qiyu frowned: “Who would be suitable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Qian pondered: The border policy in Datong had failed; the situation in Liaodong could only be worse. The man sent to Liaodong must be of high rank, capable, and sufficiently forceful—otherwise, he could not control them, nor would he have sufficient backing in court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long thought, Yu Qian proposed: “I believe General Wang Ji is suitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Wang is sixty-eight years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Qian: “Your Majesty may ask him: Is Lian Po too old?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then looked at Pan Yun: “Perhaps ask the National Teacher—she understands physiognomy; surely she can tell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun smiled: “I see General Wang Ji is in excellent health—he still needs three bowls of rice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a recommendation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Qiyu began to consider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year, Wang Ji still led troops to repel rebel forces and Burmese incursions in Luchuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the former Emperor’s most trusted general; since the new Emperor’s ascension, those favored in court were Yu Qian, Chen Huai, and Kuang Ye, who had stood with the new Emperor against the Oirats in Datong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past half year, he had been largely idle—neither military nor court affairs were often brought to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji knew this was not merely due to the new Emperor’s preference for his own men, but also because he had a grudge against Pan Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some members of Wang Ji’s clan had participated in the collusion between gentry-officials and southeastern pirates to smuggle goods; whether he knew or not, to outsiders, he appeared to have protected them—or even orchestrated it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His nephew was also killed in last year’s pirate collusion case; in the eyes of court ministers, he was an enemy of Pan Yun and Xue Shao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun was the new Emperor’s favorite; even if she did not target him, many in court would ostracize and attack him to curry favor with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he still bore the charge of being a Cao Jixiang ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, the Luchuan campaign was supported by Cao Jixiang; court literati had fiercely opposed it; Wang Ji’s three victories relied entirely on clinging to Cao Jixiang’s coattails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Cao Jixiang died, this remnant should have vanished with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had remained unharmed, merely marginalized, only because during the former Emperor’s northern campaign, unrest in the southwest and Burmese agitation were contained by Wang Ji and the Mu family, preventing escalation or loss of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had a premonition: if he remained marginalized any longer, he would be purged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could not break this stalemate, he would surely slide into the abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were the lessons of the previous dynasty not enough?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji was an old general, and also a civil official by origin—he remained calm. While several subordinates and his sons grew anxious, he knew now was no time to rush; haste would bring error.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his position, one misstep meant utter ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the fourteenth day of the eighth month of JingTai’s first year, a group of eunuchs, accompanied by Embroidered Uniform Guards, arrived at the estate of the Marquis of Jingyuan with a pile of gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the Emperor’s Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to Marquis Wang Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji was deeply moved; after receiving the gifts, he immediately entered the palace to thank the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wang Ji left the palace, a new imperial decree was issued: the Emperor ordered Wang Ji to inspect Liaodong and reorganize military affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one in court knew that Wang Ji’s inspection party included a Ministry of Works official and a student from the Imperial Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was skilled in mineral prospecting; the other had a keen interest in geology and had assisted the Hanlin Academy in compiling related texts while at the Imperial Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition, the Daoist Registry had assigned a ninth-rank official, a Daoist priest, equally proficient in mineral deposits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji spent the Mid-Autumn Festival at home; on the morning of the sixteenth, he led his party out of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His son accompanied him; his horse overtook two carts and rode ahead beside Wang Ji, asking: “Father, they say this appointment was jointly recommended by Yu Qian and the National Teacher. Yu Daoren is your former subordinate—his recommendation is understandable. But why would the National Teacher recommend you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji: “Because I am useful to the state.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But our family has old grievances with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji glanced at him: “During the former Emperor’s reign, the court became corrupt precisely because of people like you who could not separate public duty from private grudges.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His son’s forehead darkened with exasperation—what did that have to do with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji gripped his reins tightly and said sternly: “Issue orders: this mission is solely for the state. Whoever dares to act corruptly or pervert justice—I will punish him by military law!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you call me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji stared intently at his son; the son suddenly understood and corrected himself: “General!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ji said expressionlessly: “In the military, there is no father—only general.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, General!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ying felt not only the court had changed, but his father had changed too—changed beyond his understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Wang Ji inspected Liaodong, the ironworks site was finally settled: the Miyun Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said there was iron ore there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Works sent surveyors; within days, they indeed unearthed iron ore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They then enclosed the wasteland around Miyun Mountain to establish a state-run iron furnace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And nearby, they would select a site for the ironworks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the news spread, the magistrates of Miyun County and Fengning County sprang into action; their lawsuits first went to Shuntian Prefecture, then escalated all the way to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they exchanged memorials in a war of words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One argued that Miyun County was closer to the capital and had better conditions—therefore, the ironworks should be built in Miyun County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other argued that Miyun Mountain lay within Fengning’s territory, and so did the iron ore; to save transportation costs and labor, the ironworks should be placed in Fengning County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though neither magistrate knew precisely what the jointly operated ironworks by the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works was meant to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they knew one thing: profits went to the imperial treasury—this was a profitable enterprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was profitable, it might benefit the local economy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they not fight for their own county?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor, exasperated by their bickering, summoned Chen Xun and Hu Cheng and asked: “Where should this factory be built?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Cheng said: “Your Majesty, I will not favor anyone—I will send men to conduct thorough surveys. To build a factory, transportation, water, and labor are indispensable. Tell them: no amount of arguing will change that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xun had his own preference, but dared not voice it openly, especially after Hu Cheng had spoken first; he said: “Rather than argue here, let them improve their counties. If conditions meet requirements, the Ministry of Works will consider accordingly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor had the Grand Secretary relay this response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing the vermilion annotations, both magistrates immediately returned to organize road construction and rural development around Miyun Mountain, determined to make their county the preferred choice for the Ministry of Works surveyors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun paid no attention to these mundane affairs; after providing the blueprints, she served only as a technical advisor, then turned to pursue her own interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She first secretly returned home to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with her father and brothers, then the imperial examination results for the provincial level were announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her four disciples rarely left the palace and came out to witness the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They squeezed among the candidates, listening as they discussed state affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun heard that, besides debating the exam questions, most discussed the land survey policy and military reorganization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the provincial examination, candidates must return to their registered hometowns to sit; when Pan Yue passed the provincial exam, he took it in Changzhou Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this was an imperial special examination, fewer licentiates from the Northern Metropolitan Region could return in time for the provincial exam than in previous years; yet precisely because it was special, many Provincial Graduates who had failed previous metropolitan exams had arrived early in the capital to await next year’s exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All were past unsuccessful Provincial Graduates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men closely followed the questions of this year’s special provincial exam, hoping to deduce the court’s and examiners’ inclinations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After discussing the questions, they naturally turned to state affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think next year’s exam will likely focus on border strategy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree. I heard His Majesty has dispatched General Wang Ji to inspect Liaodong, and after his birthday, he already sent an envoy team to Nuergan Military Commission—clearly, the court values its borders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we don’t value them, the Tartars will ride right over our heads!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They already are. Don’t forget how the former Emperor perished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh, do you want to die? Don’t mention this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there not to mention? This great humiliation must be shouted aloud, loudly and repeatedly, to spur us onward, so that one day we may avenge the nation and our late emperor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, our Great Ming has strong troops and ample horses, while the Oirats are now in internal chaos. If we wish to avenge ourselves, why not do it now? If we don’t act now, I suspect some among us don’t want to avenge us—or dare not!”\u003C\u002Fp>",2018,"2026-06-20T22:04:01.137Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","651364e935a6241ce9af079ef11b39a535b2739f078a8008e99a74126f3e8e57","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-979","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-977",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]