Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 107 Envoy
In the Governor's Office, Zhu Lang sat behind a desk, and below him stood Zhang Tongchang, who was wearing a green official robe.

"Has Doctor Zhang read the Fujian Province briefing?"

Zhu Lang looked at Zhang Tongchang who looked serious below.
"Yes, I have read the information provided by the Jinyifu."

"Zheng Zhilong intends to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, but there are disagreements within the Zheng family. Now the Zheng family is wavering. I want to send a special envoy to Fujian to prevent the Zheng family from surrendering to the Qing Dynasty," Zhu Lang said softly.

"I am willing to serve as a special envoy to call back Zheng's army on behalf of the court to serve as a barrier for the court," Zhang Tongchang said in a deep voice.

Zhu Lang looked at Zhang Tongchang below, but did not agree directly. Instead, his face darkened and he said
"This is not an easy task. Perhaps Lord Qu has not told you yet. Even Zheng Zhilong has not surrendered to the Qing Dynasty yet, which is also a guess made by me and Lord Qu."

"It is possible that Zheng Zhilong has already led his troops to surrender to the Qing. If so, Doctor Zhang would be like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth if he enters Fujian at this time. He is likely to be captured by Zheng Zhilong and handed over to the Qing army."

"The Eastern Tartars are brutal and cruel. You will be in a life-or-death situation. Do you know how dangerous it is?"

Zhu Lang looked at Zhang Tongchang, whose expression changed slightly, and his eyes flashed. He continued to speak.

"I didn't have high hopes for this matter. The situation in Fujian Province is complicated, and it can't be easily reversed by just one person."

"If it weren't for the recommendation of Lord Qu, I would have just sent a royal censor to give it a try."

"Mr. Zhang is a good minister in the court and has great use in the court. How can he let a minister in the court take risks for such a small possibility? Lord Qu is really too concerned this time."

The Regent above sighed softly.

Zhang Tongchang's expression changed slightly when he heard this. Qu Shisi had already left Zhaoqing in the afternoon.
Before leaving, Qu Shisi only had time to tell him that His Majesty the Regent had summoned him for important matters and asked him to be loyal and diligent in the king's affairs. Then he led his troops to Guangxi Province without telling him the details.

The intelligence he had seen about Fujian Province was all sent by the Jinyifu. He originally thought that it was certain that Zheng Zhilong had not surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, but he never thought that the court could not even be sure whether Zheng Zhilong had surrendered or not.
In other words, the court was completely gambling on this matter. Not only was it gambling that Zheng Zhilong had not surrendered to the Qing Dynasty yet, but it was also gambling that the opposition within the Zheng family would make Zheng Zhilong change his mind.

Only if both parties win the bet, the so-called imperial envoy will be able to successfully pull back the troops from Fujian Province. Just thinking about it will reveal the great risk of this trip.
If it is true as Your Highness said, that Zheng Zhilong has already surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, then this so-called imperial envoy is simply a merit delivered to Zheng Zhilong. I am afraid that as soon as he enters Fujian Province, he will be immediately forwarded by Zheng Zhilong to the Qing court to seek credit.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Tongchang suddenly showed a hint of determination on his face and spoke resolutely.

"Zheng has an army of hundreds of thousands. If Zheng Zhilong can be recalled, the court will have a powerful army."

"Even if there is only a slight possibility, the court should also try its best. Zheng Zhilong is a duke, how can a mere censor show the court's attention? I am willing to accept the order to go to Fujian Province and persuade Zheng's army to return."

"If I can exchange a hundred thousand elite soldiers for the court with my humble status, I will not be afraid even if I die."

Zhang Tongchang had a determined look on his face. After he finished speaking, he bowed solemnly to His Royal Highness the Regent.

"Well, you are worthy of being recommended by Lord Qu. Zhang Qing is indeed a wise minister in the court."

Zhu Lang looked at Zhang Tongchang below, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He had just tried to test Zhang Tongchang's attitude, and even gave him an excuse to withdraw.
Zhu Lang was not lying. If Zhang Tongchang had really refused, Zhu Lang would have directly excluded him.

The special envoy to Fujian this time has great power and can almost appoint all civil and military officials in Fujian Province at will. If he is not a person of firm character, loyalty and reliability, how can he be assured of handing over such great power?

Zhang Tongchang's current attitude was very good. Zhu Lang thought of this and no longer hesitated. He spoke directly.

"Since Mr. Zhang has made such a determination, I will entrust the affairs of Fujian Province to you."

His Royal Highness the Regent walked out from behind the table and personally helped up the middle-aged man who was bowing in the hall, with a solemn expression on his face.
Zhang Tongchang also looked solemn and responded respectfully.

After Zhu Lang appointed Zhang Tongchang as the chief envoy, he ordered someone to give Zhang Tongchang a seat, and the two of them sat down in the room again.

Zhu Lang had felt Zhang Tongchang's attitude, so he stopped holding back and finally began to explain to Zhang Tongchang the arrangements for Fujian Province.

"The situation in Fujian Province is uncertain at this time. After entering Fujian, everything can only be decided by Zhang Qing himself."

"I will give you two wishes"

"The first one is the decree to confer the title of Prince of Anping on Zheng Zhilong. After entering Fujian this time, if Zhang Qing finds that Zheng Zhilong has not surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, he should take this decree and issue it to Zheng Zhilong, stating that the court treats loyal officials well and must not let him surrender to the Qing Dynasty."

"Zheng Zhilong is a foreigner, how can he be crowned a king? This would be against the imperial ancestral system."

Zhang Tongchang hesitated when he heard this, and immediately said

Although there were examples of people from other surnames being crowned as kings in the Ming Dynasty, those were either at the beginning of the dynasty or after the death of ministers. After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, almost no living ministers could enjoy the treatment of being crowned as kings.

But Zhu Lang didn't care at all when he heard it. He waved his hand and said
"The world is in turmoil now. The Qing invaders have conferred titles of nobility and dukedom on those who surrendered. They have even conferred titles of county king on several of them. In extraordinary times, extraordinary things need to be done. If the Qing invaders can do it, then our Ming Dynasty can do it too."

"Zhang Qing, don't hesitate. I will discuss this matter with the court. If I can exchange a hundred thousand troops for the court with an empty title, why would I hesitate?"

Zhang Tongchang saw the determination on His Royal Highness the Regent's face, so he said nothing more and respectfully responded.

Zhu Lang continued to speak

"The second one is the decree to confer the title of Governor of Fujian Province on Zheng Chenggong."

"This Zheng Chenggong is the son of Zheng Zhilong. He was born in the Imperial Academy. According to Lin Cha, the garrison commander of Fujian Province, this person is loyal to the imperial court and is very opposed to his father's surrender to the Qing Dynasty." "After Zhang Qing enters Fujian, if he finds that Zheng Zhilong has surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, he should find a way to quickly find Zheng Chenggong, grant him the status of a Jinshi, add the title of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and promote him to the position of Governor of Fujian Province."

"Then use Zheng Chenggong as a banner to recruit Zheng's army generals who are still loyal to the court. We must not allow all of Zheng's troops to surrender to the Qing."

Zhu Lang's eyes flashed with a fierce look, and he continued to speak

"In addition to this, I will also give you a batch of blank imperial edicts. One of them can confer the title of Grand Secretary and the title of Minister of War. There are many old officials of Longwu in Fujian Province. Select one with sufficient qualifications and prestige, and who is determined to resist the Qing Dynasty, and confer him the title of Grand Secretary. Let him be the Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang, and set up the Governor-General's Office of Fujian and Zhejiang on the spot to manage all military and political affairs in Fujian Province."

"In addition, I will give you two blank imperial edicts for the duke, three for the marquis, and six for the earl. These are for the generals in Zheng's army."

"When you arrive in Fujian, look for any generals in Zheng's army who are unwilling to surrender to the Qing, or who are hesitant. As long as they are willing to continue to be loyal to the court, fill in their names."

"But you should be aware that these decrees do not require you to confer all of them. If the Zheng officers who surrender have too few soldiers under their command, these titles should not be given out casually."

"A Duke must command at least 20,000 soldiers before he can be given the title. A Marquis must command 8,000 soldiers, and a Baron must command 3,000 soldiers. Also, these titles are bestowed on people outside the Zheng family with the highest priority. Do you understand?"

Zhu Lang's eyes flashed with determination. Now he had no money or food. If he didn't invest more money, how could he win over the people in Zheng's army?
Zhang Tongchang was shocked when he heard the words of His Royal Highness the Regent. His mouth was slightly open and he did not come back to his senses for a long time.

He finally understood why Qu Shisi was so vague before he left, and why he kept reminding him to be loyal to the king.
According to what His Royal Highness the Regent said, this special envoy has unlimited power. He can be appointed as a cabinet minister or governor in civil affairs, or a duke or marquis in military affairs. He can almost establish a new court in Fujian Province.

Moreover, this was a legitimate mandate endorsed by the imperial court. That is to say, if the people he appointed could really defend Fujian Province, then when these people returned to the imperial court, they could prove that Yan Shun had established himself in the imperial court.
The Grand Secretaries he conferred could enter the cabinet and participate in politics, and the Marquises he conferred were also recognized as national meritorious officials by the court. By then, a huge group with Zhang Tongchang as the center and all over the court would appear.

Although this is just a hypothesis, just thinking about it is enough to make people excited and tremble.

"Mr. Zhang, do you understand that this time the reward will be given priority to the generals of the Zheng family who are not from the same clan?"

Zhu Lang did not hear Zhang Tongchang's reply for a long time, and his face looked a little dissatisfied. He looked at Zhang Tongchang below.
When Zhang Tongchang heard Zhu Lang's question, he came to his senses and suddenly got an idea. He stood up and said:

"I am only a military official, how dare I abuse my power?"

"Let's not talk about the people in Zheng's army for now. The important officials who are still in Fujian Province are all well-known. I ask Your Highness to first decide on the candidate for the governor. After I arrive in Fujian Province, I will discuss with the governor appointed by Your Highness and confirm the rewards for the generals of Zheng's army."

"no"

Zhu Lang listened to Zhang Tongchang's words with a more satisfied look on his face, but then he waved his hand to interrupt

"Although I can roughly estimate the number of important officials who are still in Fujian Province, how can I know their character?"

"You must also be cautious when appointing the governor this time. The ability of the governor is secondary. The key is that this person must be determined to resist the Qing Dynasty."

"When you enter Fujian, you should make sure to investigate. If any of the ministers appointed by the previous dynasty have surrendered to the Qing Dynasty or have had secret dealings with the Qing invaders, no matter how high their titles and positions were during the previous dynasty, they will not be used."

"On the other hand, if there are ministers who can raise their own righteous troops and fight against the Qing in times of crisis, these people can be given priority consideration. Even if this person was only a minister in the previous dynasty, you can appoint him as a governor."

"If everything goes well during your trip to Fujian Province, with Zheng Chenggong as your banner, you should be able to attract some Zheng-style generals who are still loyal to the court."

"At that time, you must work with the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang Provinces to use these Zheng's troops to hold the Qing army in Fujian Province to buy time for the court. You must not allow the Qing army to attack Guangdong Province from Fujian and Jiangxi at the same time."

"Before the imperial court completes the deployment of defenses on the Jiangxi-Guangdong border, I'm afraid there won't be enough troops and supplies to support Fujian Province. At that time, Fujian Province may have to prepare its own military equipment and food. The situation may be extremely difficult. Therefore, the candidate for the governor must be firm in his determination to resist the Qing Dynasty and must not waver in his heart."

Zhu Lang looked at Zhang Tongchang, who was asking questions with a surprised look on his face. Since he had already decided to use Zhang Tongchang as his envoy, he would not hold back and directly told him all his plans in Fujian Province.

Zhu Lang's eyes flashed with a fierce look. The reason why he threw out so many titles and positions was to split the Zheng family and let the Zheng family army kill each other.
As long as the war breaks out in Fujian Province, it will delay the Qing army's attack on Guangdong from Fujian, buying time for the court to recruit troops and deploy defenses again.

Seeing that Zhang Tongchang was still hesitant, Zhu Lang's face became serious and he spoke directly

"This matter concerns the safety of the country. Mr. Zhang is the descendant of a loyal official, and Mr. Qu has guaranteed his safety. He must be one of the few loyal officials in the court. That is why I dare to reveal this important matter to you."

"Zhang Qing, I may believe you"

His Highness the Regent had a solemn expression on his face, staring closely at Zhang Tongchang below.
Zhang Tongchang looked at the expectation in the eyes of His Royal Highness the Regent, and suddenly felt that the rise and fall of the court and the safety of the people fell on his shoulders. He suddenly felt a huge sense of responsibility.

The king has entrusted his country to you. Isn't this the moment you have been waiting for all your life?
Zhang Tongchang no longer hesitated, bowed deeply to His Royal Highness the Regent, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Even if I die, I will defend Fujian Province for the court and live up to your trust."

"Okay, okay, my Ming Dynasty has such a minister. Even if the Qing invaders have thousands of troops, I have nothing to fear."

Zhu Lang stood up again and helped Zhang Tongchang up, with a serious look on his face.
"The court will select someone who is familiar with the situation in Fujian Province to go with the envoy. Deng Tongzhi will also lead the imperial guards to accompany the envoys and escort them into Fujian."

"This is an urgent matter. Zhang Qing, please go down and prepare first. The court will decide on the candidates today, and the delegation will set off tomorrow. Thank you for your hard work, Zhang Qing."

"How can I dare to say that it is hard to serve my country"

Zhang Tongchang spoke in a deep voice, bowed solemnly to the regent above, and left the room.
Zhu Lang watched Zhang Tongchang disappear at the door, but the emotion on his face gradually faded. He looked at Deng Mingwu who had remained silent, and his expression became calm.

(End of this chapter)