Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 278 Shock
Kunming City, Mu Tianbo looked at the tall Kunming city wall in the distance, his face was full of excitement

The big red flag of the Ming army was flying on the top of the city. Mu Tianbo stared at the red flag for a while before he was completely relieved.
After entering the city, Yang Weizhi and the others separated. Yang Weizhi went to the government office, but Mu Tianbo ignored them and went straight to the Duke of Qian's Mansion.
Mu Tianbo and the others soon arrived at the gate of the Duke of Qian's Mansion. Mu Tianbo looked at the familiar gate of the Duke of Qian's Mansion, but suddenly he felt a sense of panic in his heart and did not dare to step into the door for a long time.
The gate of the Duke of Qian's mansion was guarded by Ming soldiers. Mu Tianbo stood at the gate for a long time before he stepped into the gate.
In the Mu Mansion, traces of swords, blood and fire can still be vaguely seen between the screen wall, corridor columns and garden pools.
The Duke's Mansion was mostly intact, but the treasures and furniture that the Mu Mansion had accumulated over hundreds of years had been swept away.
The entire huge mansion was silent, with only empty houses left.
Mu Tianbo didn't care about that at all. After entering the mansion, he went straight to the backyard of the Duke of Mu's Mansion. There was the ancestral hall of the Duke of Qian's Mansion, where the tablets of the ancestors of the Qian Kingdom from Mu Ying onwards were enshrined.
But when Mu Tianbo stepped into the backyard, he was stunned. The many halls and mansions in the front yard were intact, but the ancestral hall in the backyard was in ruins, with black and gray everywhere after the fire.

Mu Tianbo stared at the charred bricks and rubble in the yard for a long while, then suddenly knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed to the rubble.

Mu Tianbo's eyes were red, but he said nothing. He just knelt on the ground, banging his head against the ground repeatedly until his forehead was covered in blood. He was then forcibly pulled up from the ground by Mu Xianzhong and Bai Junai.
Mu Tianbo finally couldn't bear it anymore and cried out loudly.

"Descendants who are unfilial and dishonor their ancestors shall be punished by death."

"Unfilial descendants who bring disgrace to their ancestors shall be punished by death."

There was silence in the mansion of the Duke of Qian, with only the shrill cries from the backyard echoing in the empty mansion.

The Qian State Mansion is still there, but Yu Ze, the ancestor of the Qian State lineage, has been burned to ashes by the raging fire.
Mu Tianbo cried and screamed until he almost fainted, but the court did not give him time to grieve. On the second day after Mu Tianbo and his companions returned, Zhang Huangyan, Ma Bao and others summoned Mu Tianbo and his companions to discuss the matter of suppressing the rebellion in Yunnan Province.

In the lobby of the Yunnan Provincial Governor's Office, civil and military officials from the city gathered
At this time, everyone in the hall bowed and stood in awe. On the altar in front of the hall was a bright yellow silk imperial edict.

The civil and military officials were arranged on the left and right in the hall. Yang Weizhi, wearing the third-rank official robe of Yunyan, stood in the middle of the hall with his head bowed.

Zhang Huangyan stood at the top, bowed, took the imperial edict, and read it out in a respectful voice.

"Now there is Yang Weizhi, the Jincang patrol officer. He is not afraid of hard work and is loyal and diligent in his duties. He comforts the people and relieves the worries of the court. Since last year, a small rebellion has occurred and Yunnan Province has been silent. Only this officer has taken advantage of the situation and fought bravely against the rebels, frightening the enemy. His loyalty is evident."

"I hereby promote Yang Weizhi to the Governor-General of Yunnan Province, and add the titles of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Right Vice-Censor of the Inspectorate to manage the personnel and finances of Yunnan Province, eliminate the rebels, and pacify Yunnan Province."

"Your Highness Yang Weizhi, I accept your order and thank you for your grace."

Yang Weizhi knelt on the ground, kowtowed respectfully, and then took the imperial edict with both hands.
At this point, Yang Weizhi was no longer the Jincang Circuit Inspector, but had jumped several levels from the local area to the imperial court, and officially became a regional governor.

In the hall, the ceremonial guards reading the imperial edict were withdrawn, and everyone in the hall took their seats.

The two people sitting on the upper seats were Yang Weizhi and Ma Bao. Although Yang Weizhi was the head of the civil officials, Ma Bao, the governor of Yunnan Province, still sat on the upper seat, not giving way at all.

At this time, everyone also knew the new system of the Guangdong Provincial Court. The governor of a province was in charge of the province's government affairs and money, and the admiral was in charge of the province's military affairs. The admiral was responsible for marching, fighting and military affairs, and civil officials were not allowed to interfere.
If there were any major events that affected the entire province, the governor-general and the governor-general would jointly decide on them. This was equivalent to directly depriving the civil officials of their power to command the military officials.

Although Lei Yuelong and others from Yunnan Province felt that this system was extremely inappropriate, they did not dare to discuss it at this time. According to the newly arrived Governor Zhang Huangyan, this new system was personally established by His Highness, and was also recognized by the court elders such as Qu Shisi, Lu Daqi, and Chen Zizhuang, and has been implemented in Fujian Province and other places.

Although Yan Sizu and others did not know much about Gui Jianguo, they knew the names of Qu Shisi and others. Qu Shisi and Lu Daqi were already famous ministers during the Chongzhen period.
Since this system was jointly established by Qu Shisi and others, they would not dare to discuss this matter easily just because of their reputation among the scholars.

Yan Sizu and other officials from Yunnan Province did not know the name of His Royal Highness Gui Jianguo until Zhang Huangyan and others entered Yunnan. They knew nothing about the Guangdong Provincial Court.

Although they were also former officials of the Ming court, to the Guangdong court, these people from Yunnan Province were real foreign officials. How could they dare to make random comments on the new system in the court at this time?
It was useless for them to be dissatisfied at this time. Sha Dingzhou gathered troops to attack Yunnan Province, and the army led by Admiral Ma Bao swept Sha Dingzhou in one fell swoop.
Admiral Ma Bao has a large army under his command and is supported by the new system of the imperial court. How can he be shaken by the dissatisfaction of a few former officials?

Moreover, the court's arrangement in Yunnan Province this time was a bit strange. All three governors of Yunnan Province surrendered, but Yang Weizhi rose up alone to resist. His Royal Highness Gui Jianguo knew about this and thought that Yang Weizhi could be used, so it would be no problem to promote him to the position of governor.

But Yang Weizhi's title as governor was too low. Although he was promoted to assistant minister of two ministries, his rank, including the title of governor, was only the third rank.
Compared to Yang Weizhi's previous position as Yunnan Provincial Councillor, Yang Weizhi was promoted several levels at this time and became a central official in one fell swoop. Naturally, this was a great grace and promotion, but compared to the position of Governor-General, it was still too low.

The bigger problem is not here. The Ming army has occupied Kunming for some time. Yan Sizu and others also know about Zhang Huangyan, the governor of Yunnan Province appointed by the Guangdong court.
Zhang Huangyan's title as governor was Right Vice-Chief Censor, also a third-rank official.
In other words, although Yang Weizhi was the governor-general of Yunnan Province at that time, his official title was equal to that of Zhang Huangyan, the governor.
According to normal rules, in order for the governor to command a province, either the governor should be promoted to Shangshu, so that the governor can suppress the governor in rank, or the governor's title should be lowered to the level of Qiandu Yushi. In short, the governor should suppress the governor and allow the governor to command the governor in terms of rank.
But now the Guangdong Provincial Court has created a low-ranking governor and a high-ranking governor. Both the governor and the governor have the power to dispatch a province. Now that the governor and the governor are at the same level, who should the three departments of Yunnan Province listen to in the future?
Ever since the news of Yang Weizhi's promotion to governor came out, Yan Sizu and others had privately asked Zhang Huangyan about it, but Zhang Huangyan told them that it was all arranged by the court. When asked about other matters, Zhang Huangyan avoided the topic and refused to say another word.

Yan Sizu and others also knew that the arrangement of Yunnan Province was not due to the negligence of the court, but was intentional.
This is also what Yan Sizu and others can't figure out. If the court doesn't trust the gentry in Yunnan Province, why not just let Zhang Huangyan, the confidant of the court, be the governor? Why bother to appoint Yang Weizhi as the governor?
Although Zhang Huangyan was young, he had a large army under his control. Who in Yunnan Province dared to oppose him?

In the lobby, the heads of civil and military affairs above were replaced by Yang Weizhi, who was promoted to governor, and Admiral Ma Bao.

The first person on the left side is Zhang Huangyan, followed by Lei Yuelong, and then Gong Yi, Yan Shizu and other officials from the three divisions.
The first person on the right is Mu Tianbo, the Duke of Qian, followed by Gao Yigong, Li Dingguo and other generals of the various battalions.
After the Ming army reoccupied Kunming, all officials of the Sansi Yamen of Yunnan Province were deposed. The Sansi officials followed Wu Zhaoyuan and attached themselves to Sha Dingzhou. Although they had no choice, this was actually an act of treason.

At this time, the Ming court re-entered Yunnan Province, and naturally could not allow these traitors to continue to serve as officials of the three departments.
After the Ming army occupied Kunming, Zhang Huangyan and others reported to the court and re-elected officials from the three departments of Yunnan Province. The court also approved all the suggestions of Zhang Huangyan and others.
Now in Yunnan Province, in addition to the two governors-general Yang Weizhi and Zhang Huangyan, Lei Yuelong is the governor of Yunnan Province, Gong Yi is the provincial inspector and the governor of Xidong, and Yan Shizu is the governor of Xixi.
Others who had made contributions to the Ming army in conquering prefectures and counties, such as Leng Yangchun and Duan Bomei, were also transferred to the Sansi.
Almost all the civil officials in Yunnan Province have been replaced, and the military officials in Yunnan Province are not much better.

During Sha Dingzhou's rebellion, the Ming army in Yunnan Province was almost vulnerable, and the high-ranking military officials in Yunnan Province either died in battle or surrendered to Sha Dingzhou.
Now, except for Mu Tianbo, the Duke of Qian, all the high-ranking military officials in Yunnan Province can be listed in the hall. At this time, all the military officials in the hall are generals from various camps who entered Yunnan to suppress the rebellion.

After Ma Bao defeated Xiying in Gui Province, he was promoted to Marquis of Anding before entering Yunnan.
At this time, Mu Tianbo inherited the title of Duke of Qian, a title higher than Ma Bao. According to the rules, Mu Tianbo should be the head of the military officials, but even if Ma Bao gave up the first seat, Mu Tianbo would not dare to sit on it.
Moreover, Ma Bao had no intention of giving up the seat. Although the Mu family was the hereditary commander-in-chief of Yunnan Province, in the new system of the imperial court, the admiral was the highest military official in charge of the military affairs of a province. There was no reason for Mu Tianbo to sit at the top.
Ma Bao did not have much respect for Mu Tianbo, the Duke of Qian. Ma Bao had already been granted the title of Marquis. When he returned to the court after pacifying Yunnan Province, he should be granted the title of Duke.
Longxiong and Wuxiong were both granted the title of Duke, so it was only natural that Commander Tengxiong would be granted the title of Duke. Ma Bao did not take Mu Tianbo, the so-called Duke of Qian, too seriously.
The court has also made arrangements for Mu Tianbo. The Mu family's hereditary title of Yunnan Province General remains unchanged, and he is also given the title of Deputy Admiral. After Ma Bao, he is considered the second most powerful military official in Yunnan Province.
Although Mu Tianbo was the deputy admiral, he was in name only and did not have a single soldier under his command.
In fact, the relationship between Ma Bao and Mu Tianbo is very similar to that between the governor-general and the governor-general among the civil officials. The admiral is the governor-general, and the general of Yunnan Province is the governor-general.
Now that Ma Bao was the admiral, Mu Tianbo, the Yunnan Provincial Army General, would have to take a back seat. Unless someone like Zhang Huangyan had a special arrangement from the court, the real power of the Yunnan Provincial Army General would be taken away by the admiral. Seeing that everyone was seated, Ma Bao waved his hand slightly, and the soldiers on both sides of the hall immediately walked to the door and closed it.
When Ma Bao saw that all the attendants in the hall had left, he nodded to Yang Weizhi beside him and said:

"Now that everyone is here, let's start discussing matters. You are all ministers of Central Yunnan, and there are some things that need to be made clear to you in advance."

"The new system established by Your Highness will make matters involving the military affairs of a province a major military matter of the imperial court. All matters discussed with the civil and military officials must not be leaked to the outside world after the discussion, not even to wives, concubines, or children."

"Once the court discovers a leak of military intelligence, it will send someone to investigate thoroughly. Once confirmed, the person who leaked it will be charged with treason."

Lei Yuelong and others in the hall looked at Ma Bao, who had a calm expression, and they were also shocked. Since entering the city, Ma Bao has been very strong and he is almost the one who does what he says. Now that Ma Bao has given a warning, no one dares to ignore it.

"What we are discussing today is about suppressing the rebellion in Yunnan Province. You must not disclose any information afterwards. Li Laiheng, you come and report the situation of the bandit in Sha."

Li Laiheng stood up and bowed to Ma Bao and the other man above him, then said:

"The scouts reported that the Sand Bandits had fled back to Lin'an three days ago and are now stationed in Lin'an City."

After Sha Dingzhou discovered that the Ming army had captured Lufeng, he withdrew his troops overnight. Although the Ming army did not know Sha Dingzhou's evacuation route, they had already planted spies in Lin'an. As soon as Sha Dingzhou's army retreated to Lin'an, they were discovered by Ming army scouts in Lin'an Prefecture.

After Sha Dingzhou returned to Lin'an, he immediately recruited soldiers from various local chieftains in Lin'an Prefecture and sent them to garrison various cities on the border of Lin'an Prefecture, as if he was determined to defend the city to the death.
After Li Laiheng finished his report, he returned to his seat, and Ma Bao also spoke

"The prefectures in the east have been settled. Governor Yang is defending Chuxiong, but the enemy is at the gates of Chuxiong. The prefectures in the west are now submissive."

"The Sha bandits have hastily retreated to Lin'an, but we cannot let them rest and recuperate. I have discussed this with Governor-General Yang and Governor Zhang, and have decided to immediately mobilize all the troops to gather them. Once the troops are gathered, we will advance step by step to Lin'an and not give the Sha bandits a chance to catch their breath."

"Duke of Qian, the Duke's Mansion has great prestige among the chieftains of Yunnan Province. We need you to come forward and summon the chieftains of various tribes to come."

Mu Tianbo heard this, but he did not hesitate at all and spoke directly

"I obey your order. Later, I will summon the chieftains of various tribes in the name of the Duke of Qian to come and wipe out the sand bandits."

Mu Tianbo's eyes were filled with resentment, but after he finished speaking, his face showed a slight hesitation, and he spoke again

"The imperial army is stationed in Kunming, so the chieftains nearby will not dare to act rashly. However, the chieftains in the west are too far away. Should we just summon the chieftains in the east and south?"

Mu Tianbo was still frightened by the call to recruit the chieftains. Sha Dingzhou was the one Mu Tianbo personally recruited to Kunming in order to pacify Wu Bikui. Whenever Mu Tianbo thought of this, he felt extremely regretful.
The chieftains of Xixi are too far away from Kunming and are far less loyal than the chieftains of Xidong. Who knows what kind of trouble these chieftains of Xixi will cause on the way with their soldiers?

Moreover, the imperial court was obviously not prepared to delay too long. After occupying Kunming, the imperial court had prepared food and money. As long as the chieftains could be persuaded to send troops, they could immediately attack. If they had to wait for the chieftains from the west to come, they would not be able to advance quickly.

Ma Bao listened to what Mu Tianbo said, thought for a moment, and was about to agree, but at this moment Yang Weizhi suddenly spoke

"This is not appropriate. The Tusi of Xixi must be recruited."

"If Xixi is too far, then order the chieftains of Xixi to lead two to three hundred cavalrymen to Kunming within a certain time limit according to the size of their power. If it is inconvenient for a chieftain to come, let his sons and heirs lead people to come."

"This time, not only Xixi, but all the chieftains in Yunnan Province must send people here."

"This time we are not only going to wipe out the rebels of the Sand Bandits, but also to use this to deter the entire Yunnan Province. This matter is as important to Yunnan Province as the elimination of the Sand Bandits."

Everyone in the hall heard this and realized that Sha Dingzhou had rebelled and the Ming court was losing ground. The Ming court's authority among the chieftains in Yunnan Province had plummeted.

Not to mention those chieftains who have already submitted to Shadingzhou, even those who have always refused to submit to Shadingzhou have now developed their own ideas.

Yang Weizhi obviously intended to use this rebellion to intimidate the chieftains of Yunnan Province and once again establish the authority of the Ming court in the hearts of the chieftains.
Of course, there is a prerequisite for this to succeed, which is that Sha Dingzhou must be wiped out.
If we cannot win this battle, or even if Sha Dingzhou only succeeds in defending Lin'an, the effect of this matter will be greatly reduced.
After Yang Weizhi learned about the strength of the Ming army entering Yunnan, he obviously believed that this battle should be victorious, so he proposed this proposal.

Ma Bao thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. After everyone in the hall decided to recruit all the chieftains in Yunnan, they dispersed. Soon, teams of messengers rushed out of Kunming, holding the imperial edict of the Duke of Qian's Mansion and rushed to various places in Yunnan Province.
(End of this chapter)