In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 772 The Righteous Commander-in-Chief, Open and Covert Struggles

Inside the Left Army Commander's Mansion, as more and more people arrived, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.
Many people chatted amongst themselves, occasionally bursting into laughter.

The most discussed topic was the division of interests after the downfall of the Li faction.

This time, not only will there be vacant positions in the imperial court, but many lucrative posts will also be made available in local areas.

Furthermore, because there was a traitor within the Zhongdu Garrison Command,

Marquis Zhou Dexing of Jiangxia has been dismissed from his post, leaving his position vacant!

This was the most prestigious official position in the southeast of the Ming Dynasty, apart from the Admiral of the Navy.

The one left to guard Zhongdu held both military power and the trust of the palace.
Once you climb this step...

Even if he doesn't become a nobleman in the future, becoming a first-rank governor-general is definitely not a problem.

Lu Yunyi listened for a long time and realized that all the high-ranking officials were fighting tooth and nail for the position they were currently holding.

On the contrary, the position of Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong was not so popular.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Liaodong was already the northeasternmost part of the Ming Dynasty.

Every year, the extreme cold can freeze people to death.

Many people would rather stay in the capital as minor officials than be promoted to Liaodong.

This gave Lu Yunyi a deeper understanding of what Grand Scholar Song had said.

In the Ming Dynasty today, those with ability wouldn't idly go to the borderlands to suffer.

As I was lost in thought, several figures appeared outside the main hall and hurried in.

The leader was Xu Huizu, Duke of Wei, and beside him was Guo Ying, Marquis of Wuding.

There was also an old acquaintance, the gaunt Marquis of Changxing, Geng Bingwen.

As soon as the three entered the main hall, all the officials present stood up and greeted them with smiles.

It is worth noting that

Behind the three of them were several young players between the ages of twenty and thirty.
Wearing armor, he looked exceptionally heroic.

But after looking around the room, they clearly felt uneasy.

Lu Yunyi seemed to be deep in thought, and soon realized who the group of people were.

They should be the Beijing army generals who rose to prominence during this turmoil.

Judging from the intentions of the marquises,
They should be given special attention and training; otherwise, they wouldn't have been brought here.

However, Lu Yunyi remained skeptical about whether they could establish a firm foothold.

A gentleman's sudden change of heart is not a good thing.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

The one in the main seat was still Commander-in-Chief Zhu Shou.
The Duke of Wei and others were seated behind the officials of the Left Army Commandery, essentially as observers.

In this way, Lu Yunyi stands out even more!

Apart from Lu Yunyi, there were more than ten people present.
The youngest among them was nearly fifty, with a long beard and wrinkled skin.

But Lu Yunyi, sitting on the lower left, looked even younger than the clerk.
He didn't have much of a beard, and he looked strange no matter how you looked at it.

Many people turned their attention to him.

Especially those few rising young players,
When she looked at Lu Yunyi, her eyes were filled with intense envy and jealousy, as well as a hint of eagerness.

How they wished they could be sitting there.

At the same time, they are full of confidence.
Their sudden surge of pride made them feel that they were no less than others, and that they just needed a brief moment of submission.

The people inside the room were all preoccupied with their own thoughts, and the atmosphere was heavy.

Left Army Commander Zhu Shou waved his hand, and the clerks began distributing documents. The sound of turning pages gradually subsided.

After all the officials had received their documents, Zhu Shou spoke in a deep voice:
"Today is a meeting of the Left Army Commander-in-Chief's office."
His Majesty has ordered us to select capable ministers to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong.
To quell the chaos caused by the rebellious faction led by Mei Yi, Tang Shengzong, and others.

Listed on the document in my hand are ten men selected by the Governor's Office. What are your opinions, esteemed officials?

Lu Yunyi glanced at the document, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes.
This document is perfectly timed.

Of the ten, three were commanders and deputy commanders of the Twelve Guards of the Upper Guard.

The five men were deputy commanders-in-chief of various regional military commands.

The other two were commanders of garrison posts under the jurisdiction of the Puzikou City of the Beijing Army.

The Imperial Guards, local troops, and the capital's military were all involved.
The only thing that surprised Lu Yunyi was that there were no nobles among them.

This shows that the imperial court and the palace were increasingly distrustful of the nobles.
Especially the nobles who led troops in border towns,
Being bold is one thing, but being lawless is another.

Lu Yunyi believed that in the future, the regional commanders should be appointed based on their official positions, rather than simply being appointed by nobles.

The changes in the overall situation are considerable.

Lu Yunyi slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone within his reach.

Some people looked thoughtful, some frowned, and some looked surprised.

Lu Yunyi was fully aware that the purpose of the selection was to choose five people for the palace to decide.

But as long as someone is on the list, there will be no objection when it is submitted to the palace.

Therefore, today's meeting in the hall,

At least 90% of the decisions will determine the selection of the commander of the Liaodong Regional Military Commission for the next few years.

Lu Yunyi's expression turned slightly serious.
He initially didn't take it seriously, but the Liaodong and Beiping Regional Military Commands were helping each other.

If a troublemaker were to arrive, Da Ning would not be comfortable.

Thinking of this, Lu Yunyi raised his head.

Looking at Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding opposite him, he met the Marquis's eyes.

The two exchanged a glance, and their thoughts were immediately clear to each other.

Lu Yunyi nodded almost imperceptibly, then looked at the three members of the Twelve Guards at the very top.
Chen Gong, Commander of Wude Guard; Tang Guang, Commander of Longxiang Guard; and Pan Jing, Assistant Commander of Jinwu Left Guard.

Lu Yunyi quickly scanned the list of founding heroes in his mind.

They discovered that all three were superiors to him.

The rankings are 343, 458, and 325.

Having figured out the seating arrangement, Lu Yunyi knew who Marquis Wuding, Guo Ying, wanted to recommend—Pan Jing, the Deputy Commander of the Left Guard of the Golden Guard.

Including him among the two commanders and one deputy commander is itself an act of favoritism.
Moreover, the rankings are quite telling.

They were among the top performers but held low-ranking positions; their inclusion now clearly indicates a desire for promotion.

Lu Yunyi looked up again, met the gaze of Marquis Wuding Guo Ying, and nodded almost imperceptibly, his meaning clear.

Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding smiled softly, his straight back slowly bending as he leaned against the back of his chair.
He picked up a teacup, took a small sip, and looked relaxed.

Geng Bingwen was somewhat surprised by his actions, tilted his head, and lowered his voice to say:

"So confident?"

Guo Ying glanced at him and gave him a reassuring look:

"Don't worry, it's done."

Geng Bingwen was filled with doubt, as if a big question mark had risen above his head.

After thinking for a long time, he tentatively spoke:
"That old bastard Zhu Shou agreed?"

"Promise my ass! The old man wants to support his own people, he's not going to help us."

"Then what about you?" Geng Bingwen asked, even more suspicious.

Guo Ying smiled:
"Let's see."

Geng Bingwen looked at the scene, where the officials of the Left Army Commander's Office had begun to display their extraordinary abilities.

The atmosphere in the main hall suddenly became tense, and the air seemed to freeze.

Zhu Shou coughed lightly, breaking the brief silence.
He glanced at everyone and slowly began to speak:
In my opinion, the capital's army is full of talented people.

Chen Gong, Commander of the Wude Guard

He was brave in battle, possessed exceptional strategic skills, and performed outstandingly in numerous Beijing army drills.
With him appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong, the situation will surely be stabilized quickly.
To quell the chaos caused by the rebellious faction led by Mei Yi, Tang Shengzong, and others.

As soon as he finished speaking, Marquis Chongshan, Li Xin, spoke in a deep voice:
"Lord Zhulu is mistaken. The commanders of local garrisons are responsible for handling emergencies year-round."

Wang Yong, the commander of the Shandong Military Command, repeatedly distinguished himself in coastal defense and combating smuggling.

He has a thorough understanding of border affairs.
Sending him to Liaodong is the best choice.

Vice Commander-in-Chief Chen Chun also quickly echoed:
"That's right, the situation in Liaodong is complex, with threats not only from tribes like the Jurchens."

There are also potential problems arising from trade with Goryeo and Japan.

Wang Yong had worked in the local area for many years and was well-versed in the art of interpersonal relationships.

This will enable us to better handle these matters and ensure stability in Liaodong.

For a time, the two factions of officials, supporting the commander of the capital's army and the commanders of the local garrisons, argued endlessly, each holding their own opinion.

The main hall was noisy, with everyone blushing and arguing fiercely.

"The Beijing army is well-trained and well-equipped."

If Chen Gong were to go to Liaodong, he would surely be able to quickly prepare military affairs.
The rebellion of the Jurchen and other tribes was swiftly suppressed, restoring peace to Liaodong.

An official who supported the Beijing garrison said excitedly, "The commanders of the local garrisons are familiar with local affairs."

The combat methods are also more suitable for the Liaodong environment.

Wang Yong has served in local areas for many years and is better able to handle various situations, making him the best candidate for the Liaodong Regional Military Commander.

Those who supported the local health stations were not to be outdone and loudly retorted.

Zhu Shou frowned, feeling somewhat displeased.

He had intended to use this opportunity to support his old subordinates, but he did not expect to be opposed by so many people.

His eyes flashed as he glanced at Lu Yunyi, who sat there unmoved, his gaze flickering slightly.

"Lord Lu, the Beiping Regional Military Command and the Liaodong Regional Military Command are mutually supportive."
Given that both are located outside the Great Wall, which one do you think is more suitable?

For a moment, the scene fell silent.
Many people looked at Lu Yunyi, their pupils slightly contracting.

All the adults present knew the purpose of establishing the Beiping Metropolitan Commandery.

On the one hand, it served as a bridge between the capital and Liaodong.
On the other hand, it is to keep watch over both sides.
In this incident, the Beiping Regional Military Command perfectly fulfilled its duty of guarding Liaodong.

That's one way to put it.
The Northern Pacification Command had a great deal of say in the appointment of Liao officials.
If the two are not in harmony, then there is no hope of peace in the area beyond the Great Wall.

The officials, having grasped this point, changed their expressions slightly and stared intently at Lu Yunyi.

Lu Yunyi put down his teacup, pondered for a moment, and spoke softly:
"My lords, the situation in Liaodong is temporarily stable."
However, the situation is quite complicated, and a capable general is indeed needed to go there.

However, in my view, the Beijing garrison and the local military garrisons each had their advantages, and they cannot be generalized.

Everyone quieted down, wanting to hear Lu Yunyi's insightful opinion.

Lu Yunyi continued:
"The Beijing army is well-trained and well-equipped; this is an indisputable fact."

However, Liaodong is located in a remote area with complex terrain.

The tactics employed by the Beijing army may not be entirely applicable.

Although the soldiers of the local garrisons were familiar with the local conditions...
However, their overall strength is relatively weak, and they may struggle to cope with large-scale rebellions.

"Then what does General Lu mean?" Zhu Shou asked, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

Lu Yunyi said in a deep voice:

"I think Pan Jing, the deputy commander of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard, is a suitable candidate."

Although Pan Jing served in the Beijing army, he was originally from the northern frontier.

Having spent many years in Liaodong, I have some knowledge of the local situation.

He demonstrated outstanding command skills in numerous past battles against the enemy Jurchens.

He was able to combine the advantages of the Beijing army's training system with the experience of local garrisons to deal with the complex situation in Liaodong.

These words caused another uproar in the main hall.

Those who supported the Beijing army shook their heads, expressing their dissatisfaction.

"Lord Lu, Pan Jing is a junior commander, a relatively low-ranking official."
"To be promoted to Commander-in-Chief so quickly is far too extravagant; how can he possibly shoulder such an important responsibility?"

An adult questioned.

"The level of an official position does not fully represent ability."

As a member of the Imperial Guard, Lord Pan already had few opportunities to fight, let alone any merits to be earned.

But as the saying goes, a skilled warrior achieves little without a glorious victory.

Lord Pan has never made any mistakes or errors while serving in the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard, which is a testament to his own abilities.

Faced with the chaos in Liaodong, a general skilled in defense like this is most suitable.

Lu Yunyi responded calmly.

Silence fell over the main hall upon hearing this.

This is, I must say, a very good reason.

Moreover, the person in front of them has a thorough understanding of the situation in Liaodong, and these words have already convinced many people.

Marquis Chongshan, Li Xin, had a somewhat gloomy expression and said in a deep voice:
"General Lu, you speak so highly of Pan Jing, could it be that you have some ulterior motive?"

Lu Yunyi raised an eyebrow, but remained unfazed as he faced the Marquis, and said in a deep voice:
“I don’t even know what Lord Pan looks like, so how could I have any selfish motives?”

As the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Beiping...

I just hope that Liaodong can get a more reliable leader, instead of the kind of troublesome leader like Mei Ni.

As a member of the Imperial Guard, Lord Pan's composure is his forte; what reason do I have to disagree?

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the main hall changed abruptly.
Many people looked shocked, especially the emerging young players.
I almost held my breath, my heart filled with horror.

That's Marquis Chongshan! How dare he confront him so directly?

Marquis Chongshan, Li Xin, looked even more gloomy, his disgust for Lu Yunyi reaching its peak.
Not only did they steal my self-made reputation, but they also...
To contradict oneself at such a crucial moment is simply outrageous!

"Lord Lu, Daning is Daning, and Liaodong is Liaodong. The two should not be confused," Marquis Chongshan Li Xin snorted coldly.

Lu Yunyi's expression remained calm as he spoke softly:
"Now that the three Jurchen tribes have been defeated by the allied forces, Liaodong is in dire need of reconstruction, and it is the perfect time for vigorous development."

How could the Northern Pacification Commandery's plan to jointly build a wide trade route with Liaodong be unrelated?

"They're going to build roads again?"

These words had barely been spoken when Zhu Shou and Li Xin...
Xu Huizu, the Duke of Wei, who was listening in, straightened his back and stared intently.

Lu Yunyi, bypassing everyone's gaze, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and spoke:
"Reporting to the Duke of Wei, the Jurchens have suffered heavy losses, the Northern Yuan have fled to the west, and there are few enemies outside the entire Northeast."

If we don't build roads and develop now...

Once the Jurchens recover their strength, repairing roads will become significantly more difficult.

Xu Huizu thought for a moment, then nodded emphatically:

"You're right, it's time to rest and recuperate."

Many officials in the Left Army Commander-in-Chief's office also felt that what he said made sense.

They mostly lacked control over the commander's personnel, and they didn't care.

They only care about the stability of the Liaodong and Beiping Regional Military Commissions; it would be even better if they could ask for less money each year.

"Lord Lu, how much money and grain should the Governor's Office allocate to build a wide road connecting the two military commands?"

Xiao Qi, the assistant commissioner who had been silent until now, asked a question, clearly interested.

Large-scale projects like the Guanwai Commandery were often undertaken by a combined effort of civil and military officials.

The Governor-General's Office had to contribute funds, as did the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War.

If that's still not enough, they might take some from His Majesty's private treasury.

Lu Yunyi glanced at the adults present and gave a wry smile:
"Lord Xiao, once the imperial funds are in place..."

We may have already missed the best time to build the road.

This road... I intend to take advantage of the fact that many Jurchen prisoners are still alive and work with Liaodong to repair it.

As for money and provisions, according to preliminary estimates,

If it were to be repaired to Liaoyang, it would likely cost around 250,000 taels of silver.
However, the official road of Liaodong Commandery is still acceptable. It only needs to be repaired to Guangning, which may only cost 200,000 taels of silver.

If the Governor's Office can provide it, then naturally the more the better.

If that fails, I will consider other methods.

The main hall fell into a deathly silence. The adults' eyelids twitched wildly. Two hundred thousand taels!
It's equivalent to the annual expenses of a typical Commander-in-Chief's Office.

All that's needed now is to build a road.
Xiao Qi's face stiffened. He was in charge of all the finances and provisions for the Left Army Commander's Office.
If I remember correctly, there are still less than 40,000 taels of silver left in the treasury.
"Lord Lu, if I remember correctly..."
There are official roads connecting Daning and Liaodong; why waste money on this? Isn't that a terrible waste of resources?

One of the men stood up from the lower seat and bowed deeply to the group of adults.

Lu Yunyi glanced at him, didn't recognize him, and ignored him.
Instead, he picked up his teacup and continued sipping his tea, showing no intention of answering.

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

The man felt incredibly embarrassed, his toes digging into the ground as he asked again:
“Da Ning spent a lot of money building the road to Shanhaiguan, which was already a waste, so we can’t continue to waste money.”

This time, Lu Yunyi didn't even look up, continuing to sip his tea.

Xiao Qi turned his gaze over and, seeing it was his subordinate, immediately became furious and reprimanded him:

"Get out."

Ignoring the man, Xiao Qi continued:
"Both the capital's army and the local garrisons have outstanding talents, and we cannot favor one over the other."

I've heard of Pan Jing before; he is indeed quite capable.
However, the situation in Liaodong is complex, and we still need to consider his adaptability and ability to handle complex matters.

I propose that we conduct further investigations into the ten people on the list.

Understand their abilities, experience, and personality before making a decision.

As the God of Wealth, Xiao Qi's words carried great weight, and many people immediately echoed his sentiments.

Zhu Shou also felt that continuing to argue like this was not a solution, so he said:
"That makes sense. Since that's the case..."
The Left Army Commandery was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation of these ten individuals and compiling a written summary.

Three days later, another meeting was held to determine the candidate for the Liaodong Regional Commander.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Lu Yunyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He has done everything he could to get to this point.
Whether Pan Jing can take office or not depends on fate.

(End of this chapter)