Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 237 Princes
In Wuying Palace, except for Dorgon's faction, almost everyone was demanding that Bolo Zhang Cunren be punished. Even the neutral Daishan demanded that someone be held accountable for this matter.

After the great defeat in Fujian Province, Dorgon did not dare to offend the public and could only compromise.
Dorgon looked gloomy and thought for a while before he said in a deep voice:
"Although the defeat of Fujian Province was caused by Tong Yangjia and the other two, Bolo, as the commander-in-chief of the Southern Expedition, cannot escape blame. Considering his meritorious service in the fight, his situation is pitiful. He shall be fined 10,000 taels of silver, stripped of his title of Beile and demoted to Zhenguogong, and his son shall inherit the title."

"Zhang Cunren, the governor of Fujian Province, has lost his territory and fled. His crime is extremely serious. He should be arrested and executed immediately. His property should be confiscated and his whole family should be sent to Ningguta as slaves. Tong Yangjia and Li Chengdong are guilty of the same crime as Zhang Cunren. Their property should be confiscated and their whole family should be sent to Ningguta as well."

"Hong Chengchou was stationed in Jiangning and failed to command the troops. He was stripped of his position as Grand Secretary and fined 3,000 silver coins. He was ordered to resume his post as Governor-General of Five Provinces and command the troops of Nanzhili to defend Zhejiang Province. He was sentenced to serve in vain and make meritorious contributions."

"Do you have any objections to this treatment?"

After Dorgon finished speaking, he looked at Daishan below. Daishan saw that Dorgon did not hesitate at all and directly bowed and said
"The Regent has handled the matter appropriately. I have no objection."

Daishan had never wanted to get involved in the struggle in the court. Now that he had dealt with Zhang Cunren, he had explained to the court. It was impossible for Daishan to say anything against it.

Seeing Daishan's agreement, Jirgalang Soni and others thought about it for a while and agreed to Dorgon's disposal plan.

Dorgon was deeply rooted in the court and had great influence. He could not be overthrown by a defeat in Fujian Province. At this time, it was a great victory to make Dorgon admit this defeat and get rid of one of Dorgon's confidants.

Dorgon has been increasingly arrogant and domineering in the court recently. This defeat should make Dorgon restrain himself for a while.
Just as the decision on how to deal with the defeated generals from Fujian Province had been made, before Dorgon and the others could breathe a sigh of relief, Sony, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up.
Shang Shan, who was below, saw Sony stand up and smiled.

Dorgon thought that he would be done with his men. How could this be possible? How long had they waited for this great defeat? How could they let Dorgon and his men get away so easily?

Sony stood up and said

"We only know that Fujian Province was defeated, but the rest of the reports from Jiangnan were sent to the palace and we were unable to see them. May I ask the Regent what the current situation in Fujian Province is like?"

Dorgon on the opposite side glanced at Sony, then turned away with a blank expression on his face, while Ganglin on the upper right stood up and answered

"After the Ming court occupied Fujian Province, they took advantage of the Qing Dynasty's lack of military strength in Zhejiang Province to capture the four prefectures in southern Zhejiang, including Quzhou, Chuzhou, Wenzhou, and Taizhou."

"The Ming court originally wanted to seize Ningbo, but our Qing army from Hangzhou arrived in time. When the Ming court army saw our Qing army, they immediately retreated hundreds of miles. Our Qing army took advantage of the situation and killed more than a thousand Ming soldiers. They attacked all the way to Taizhou before returning."

"Now our Qing court is confronting the Ming army in Jinhua and Ningbo."

"According to reports from Zhejiang Province, there are as many as 10,000 Ming troops in Quzhou and Wenzhou, while our Qing troops in Jinhua and Ningbo are no more than 3,000. However, the Ming troops are firmly guarding the city and dare not engage in battle with our army."

"From this we can see that the victory of the Ming court and Fujian Province was just a fluke and there is no need to worry about it."

Sony sneered in his heart. Nothing to worry about?

If the Ming army was really not a concern, how did the 30,000 or 40,000 men of Bolo and Tong Yangjia disappear? How did the 4,000 Eight Banners soldiers die? At this point, Dorgon and his men were still avoiding the main issue. It was simply ridiculous.
But Sony's face showed no expression. He bowed again and continued.
"What Scholar Ganglin said makes sense. Our great warriors are unrivaled in cavalry and archery. How can they be compared to those weak Han soldiers? The defeat of Fujian Province was simply because the Ming army outnumbered them."

"The Ming court just won a victory by chance, but they dared to occupy Zhejiang Province. This is really a heinous crime."

"I heard that the court has a large army led by Kong Youde and other three kings. They set out from the capital a month ago and should be arriving in Jiangning soon. I request that the court immediately send this army to the south to attack the Ming court and recapture Fujian and Zhejiang to publicize the military power of the Qing Dynasty."

Hearing this, Dorgon's face darkened, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. Gang Lin above him immediately spoke

"Absolutely not. Kong Youde and the other three princes went here to wipe out the rebels led by He Tengjiao in Huguang. At this time, food and money along the Huguang line in Gan Province have been prepared. How can the court change its plan so easily?"

"Besides, the Fujian and southern Zhejiang provinces that the Ming court now occupies are mountainous and narrow, with low grain tax. It is really a place that is neither worth eating nor worth abandoning."

"Huguang is different. He Tengjiao and others from Hunan Province have repeatedly sent troops to harass Chu, trying to seize important cities such as Jingzhou and Wuchang of the Qing Dynasty. Once the upper reaches of the Yangtze River are seized by the Ming court, the consequences will be disastrous."

"Taking Fujian Province would only gain a small area, while taking Huguang and Hunan Provinces would allow the imperial court to control the Yangtze River. It is obvious which is more important. At this time, we must not use the Huguang army to attack Fujian Province."

Gang Lin looked coldly at Sony below, with a determined look on his face. If it were a normal time, he would have transferred the troops, but this was absolutely not possible at this time.
The defeat in Fujian Province has already damaged the prestige of the Regent. If even the court plan set by the Regent is changed by others, it will not only be a matter of damaging prestige.

Not to mention that the Ming army has stopped at the Quzhou and Wenzhou lines, Hangzhou, Shaoxing and other Qiantang River lines are still in the hands of the Qing court, which is enough to ensure the safety of the Jiangnan area.

Even if the Ming army conquered Hangzhou, as long as they had not yet reached Nanjing, the Huguang army would still have to march to Huguang.
Sony and others wanted to interfere in government affairs and seize power by relying on a major defeat in Fujian Province. That is absolutely impossible!

If they were allowed to transfer the troops arranged by the regent today, would they be ready to appoint a regent tomorrow?
Gang Lin stared coldly at Sony below, ready to rebuke him at any time, but at this moment a flash of realization flashed across Sony's face, and he spoke directly

"So that's the case. After listening to what Master Ganglin said, it suddenly became clear to me. It seems that it is just as Master said, we should attack Huguang first."

After Sony finished speaking, he bowed and then sat back in his seat without saying anything.

Seeing Sony retreating, Ganglin was slightly surprised.
Gang Lin looked at Sony, who looked calm below, with a frown on his face, but he didn't know what tricks Sony had up his sleeve.
But before Gang Lin could think clearly, another person suddenly stood up. Shang Shan glanced at everyone in the field and said directly

"What Scholar Ganglin said makes sense. It is more important for the court to control the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The court should indeed give priority to advancing troops to Huguang."

"But the Ming court has now occupied the four prefectures in southern Zhejiang, and they may march into Hangzhou and Shaoxing at any time, endangering Jiangnan. We must also be on guard here."

"At this time, the court should send an important official to Jiangnan. Prince Zheng is an elder of the royal family, highly respected, and familiar with the battlefield. I recommend Prince Zheng to go to Jiangnan to calm the people of Jiangnan."

Gang Lin and others in the hall were all shocked when they heard this. At this time, what Shangshan said was what Prince Zheng Jierhalang said. They never thought that Jierhalang wanted to leave the capital.
However, Daishan's eyes flashed with a trace of thought. Dorgon has become increasingly powerful in the past two years, and the situation in the capital is getting more and more tense. It is not a bad choice for Jirgalang to jump out of the capital at this time.
Dorgon ignored Shangshan who was bowing and clasping his hands. A hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. He looked at Jirgalang below and said softly:
"Prince Zheng is ready to leave Beijing?"

"The situation in Jiangnan has changed. I am a minister in the court. If the court needs me, I will obey the order."

"Besides, the regent is extremely talented and has managed all the affairs of the court in an orderly manner. I am in a high position but have no good suggestions to offer to the court. I am really ashamed."

"If I can do my best for the court in Jiangnan, it will be my wish, and the regent can also show his strength in the capital."

Jirgalang's eyes flickered slightly, and after he finished speaking, he looked closely at Dorgon above him. In fact, Jirgalang was now completely giving up the power of the central government and seeking to go to Jiangnan to take up a post.
Dorgon looked at Jirgalang with a respectful expression, but sneered in his heart, not moved at all. Jiangnan was an important grain tax area, and most of the rice grain in the capital depended on Jiangnan. If there was no grain from Jiangnan, the capital would immediately be in chaos. How could he hand over such an important place to Jirgalang?
Given Jirgalang's status as a Manchu and a regent uncle, if he were to go to Jiangnan, who would be able to suppress him?

If the grain and taxes in Jiangnan were taken for Jirgalang, wouldn't that really make Jirgalang the regent uncle? Jirgalang wanted to leave the capital, but he couldn't even think about it.

Dorgon thought of this and smiled. He said

"Prince Zheng is too modest. He is a member of the royal family and a senior official. All matters in the court still depend on him to fill in the gaps. Prince Zheng is indispensable."

"Besides, Prince Zheng is the regent after all. If he moves rashly, it may cause suspicion in the court. I have already made arrangements for the affairs of Jiangnan, so Prince Zheng does not need to worry about it."

"Really? Since the Regent has already made arrangements, I will stay in the capital and help the Regent to find out the gaps and fill them in."

Jirgalang stared coldly at Dorgon above him. After a while, a smile suddenly appeared on Jirgalang's face. He replied softly and then sat in his seat again without saying anything.

There was a hint of coldness in Jirgalang's eyes. He certainly knew the importance of Jiangnan, but so what? Dorgon was the regent, but he, Jirgalang, was also the regent uncle!

Now that he has voluntarily given up the power of the central government and chosen to go to Jiangnan, what else does Dorgon want? He wants both the capital and Jiangnan. Does Dorgon think he is the emperor?
Since Dorgon refused to let him leave Beijing, he would stay in the capital and see what Dorgon could do.
Now that Fujian Province has been badly defeated, half of Dorgon's elite troops have been killed. If Dorgon can continue to wipe out the Ming court in the future, it will be fine. If not, he will see how Dorgon will die.

The two regents in the hall exchanged a round of words, but Dorgon seemed to be completely unaware of the sarcasm in Jirgalang's words and spoke directly

"We need to fight in Huguang, and we also need to defend Jiangnan. Beile Lekedehun has just returned from the expedition to Jiangnan. He has made outstanding military achievements and is very familiar with the situation in Jiangnan. This king wants to appoint Lekedehun as the General of Zhennan to guard Jiangnan."

"The army that was originally sent to conquer Huguang, with Gongshun King Kong Youde as the General of the Southern Expedition, continued to lead the army of the three kings to conquer Huguang. Xushun Gong Shen Zhixiang, Gushan Ezhen Jin Li, and Meile Ezhen Tong Dai were transferred to Jiangnan and served under the command of General Leke Dehun. They reorganized the defense line in Jiangnan and waited for an opportunity to defeat the Ming army in Zhejiang and Fujian."

"This matter was decided after the king discussed it with the palace. Do you have any opinions?"

Shang Shansoni and others in the palace all looked gloomy when they heard this. Dorgon's arrangement actually still firmly controlled the power of the government and Jiangnan.
He would continue his conquest of Huguang, and he would send his trusted confidant Lekedehun to take charge of the Jiangnan region. Dorgon had just suffered a great defeat in Fujian Province, and now he was still like in the past, refusing to give up any power!

Dorgon looked at the silent ministers in the hall, his face darkened, and he said

"This matter is a strategy decided after the king and the palace have discussed it together. If there is no objection, the court will implement it accordingly. Does anyone have any objections?"

Dorgon glanced coldly at the ministers in the palace, and a trace of irritation flashed through his heart. If it weren't for the great defeat in Fujian Province, why would he need to use the name of the palace to suppress the ministers?
But at this moment, he could not care about so many things. The most important thing now was to stabilize the court and control Jiangnan.
When Kong Youde, Lekedehun and others win a battle in Huguang or anywhere else, he will still be able to firmly control the situation in the court.

Dorgon used the palace's name to pressure him and was about to force his way through the matter, but Sony below suddenly stood up, bowed to Emperor Shunzhi above him, and then spoke in a deep voice:

"May I ask, Your Majesty, has the Regent really discussed this matter with the palace?"

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the palace looked up at Dorgon and the young Emperor Shunzhi. When Dorgon saw Sony bowing and saluting below, he could not suppress the murderous intent in his heart.

Sony is clearly accusing Dorgon of deceiving the emperor and usurping power. Sony really deserves to die.

Dorgon suppressed his anger and looked up at Emperor Shunzhi. At this time, dozens of ministers in the hall also looked up at Emperor Shunzhi in silence.

The young Emperor Shunzhi on the throne was already nervous when he saw everyone looking at him. When he saw Dorgon looking at him coldly, his body trembled and he said

"Whatever the Imperial Uncle says is what I will listen to."

The ministers below heard the trembling voice from above, and their faces were slightly strange. In fact, everyone knew why Fulin was promoted to the throne.
In terms of whether he is legitimate or not, whether he is the eldest son or not, and whether he is virtuous or not, it goes without saying that when all parties established Fulin, wasn't it because he was young and easy to control?
Now Dorgon has great power in the government and even has a murky relationship with the one in the palace. A child is in Dorgon's hands, so he can do whatever he wants.
The Manchu officials of different banners in the palace had different levels of knowledge, and not everyone knew so many stories of the old dynasty, but the Romance of the Three Kingdoms was extremely popular among the Qing army, and almost everyone knew the story of the emperor being held hostage to control the princes.
Looking at the horrified look on the little emperor's face, what Dorgon said before about discussing with the palace and making a decision together seemed even more ridiculous.

Dorgon looked at the strange expressions on the faces of the ministers below, and his expression suddenly became ugly. Dorgon suppressed his anger, looked at the young Emperor Shunzhi above, and said

"Your Majesty, I went to the palace yesterday and reported this matter to the Queen Mother and Your Majesty in person."

"Yes, what the Emperor's uncle said is true. The Emperor's uncle did say it in the palace yesterday."

When the young Emperor Shunzhi saw the gloomy look on Dorgon's face, he trembled again, and his voice was already filled with a faint cry.

The faces of the ministers such as Daishan below were becoming more and more strange. In the hall, who was the emperor?

Dorgon also found that the more he talked, the more confused he became. He couldn't explain it clearly, so he stopped paying attention to the young Emperor Shunzhi above him, looked at the ministers in the hall, and said in a cold voice:

"You have heard what His Majesty said. Who among you has any opinions on the affairs of Huguang and Jiangnan?"

The cold words echoed in the hall. Except for Gang Lin and other ministers who responded immediately, all the ministers below bowed slightly and remained silent.

Seeing the silent ministers in the hall, Dorgon's expression became more and more unpleasant, and he spoke directly

"Since there is no objection, let's proceed accordingly. Court is dismissed!"

After Dorgon finished speaking, he completely lost his patience, waved his sleeves, and walked out of the Wuying Palace.
Dorgon's confidants, such as Ganglin and Tantai, immediately followed Dorgon and left the Wuying Palace.

Shang Shan looked at Dorgon's receding back, but suddenly chuckled and said

"Victory and defeat are common in the military, why is the Regent so angry?"

At this time, there was silence in Wuying Hall. All the ministers in the hall looked at Shangshan below, and they were all silent. Jirgalang above looked at Shangshan below, but gently scolded
"The Regent is the pillar of the country, how can a young man like you speak nonsense?"

"Uncle is right, nephew has learned a lesson."

Although Jirgalang reprimanded, his face was calm without any anger, and Shangshan responded directly after hearing it.
Jirgalang lightly rebuked, bowed slightly to the young Emperor Shunzhi above him, and then walked directly out of the Wuying Hall.
Daishan watched Dorgon and Jirgalang leave, and then he seemed to react. He slowly stood up from his chair, bowed to the little emperor above, and then, supported by two red flag ministers, he walked out of the hall tremblingly.
In the huge Wuying Hall, the nobles of each banner quickly disappeared, leaving only the young Emperor Shunzhi, wearing a dragon robe, sitting alone on the throne with a dazed look on his face.
(End of this chapter)