The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 436: Rescuing the Heavens and Not Letting You Down

After seeing off the Qing envoy Fan Wencai (Fan Wencheng's brother), Empress Dowager Cisi summoned civil and military officials in the Wuding Hall to discuss the defense of the two cities of Shenyang and Fuzhou.

The protracted Liaoshen Campaign, which lasted from the early summer of the first year of Wuding's reign to the late autumn of that year, saw the Qi army's more than seventy cities and strongholds in Liaodong fall bit by bit, from north to south and from east to west. By early September, over ten thousand troops had retreated to Shenyang and Fuzhou.

If it were not for the convenience of retreating back to the interior, Fuzhou would have been abandoned by the defenders. After all, the Liaodong defenders had too few troops.

Emperor Wu Ding passed away suddenly, and the Qi army inside the pass was completely wiped out. The surviving troops were also torn apart. There was chaos inside the pass, and Liaodong was facing a powerful enemy. The war was fierce and dangerous. The young emperor Liu Kan was less than one year old, and the situation was now at its most critical.

A mother is a woman of strength, and Jin Yuji was also the mother of the emperor. To protect Liu Kan and to safeguard the legacy left by Emperor Wu Ding, Jin Yuji chose to stay in Shenyang, shouldering responsibilities that were not hers.

When people in Qi in later generations discussed this period of ancient history, they often had this question: why was it Empress Dowager Cisi, rather than Empress Dowager Yang Qing'er, who finally stood up to take charge of the situation and turn the tide at the most critical moment of the Liaoshen Campaign in the first year of Wuding?

Because according to various historical materials of later generations (including images in various novels, movies, games, comics, etc.), no matter from which aspect, Yang Hao's daughter Yang Qing'er appears to be more experienced, more skillful, and more persuasive than Jin in terms of military supply dispatch, stabilizing people's hearts, and coordinating the overall situation.

However, history is so strange that it does not take people's psychological expectations into account.

History is more imaginative than novels, movies and games.

At the most critical moment of the empire, it was Jin Yuji, who had almost no political experience and ability, who was pushed to the forefront.

History chose Empress Dowager Cisi, and she used her actions to save the world and live up to the emperor.

The Empress Dowager Cisi had just turned twenty-three. After eight years of trials and tribulations, her heroic spirit remained undiminished, and she appeared even more calm and composed.

"Three months after the war began, Du Du suddenly proposed peace talks. This was nothing more than an attempt to win the enemy's heart and defeat him without a fight. I am a mere woman, and my knowledge is limited. You are all important ministers of the late emperor. Please tell me what should be done next. How should we defend Fuzhou and Shenyang?"

After Jin Yuji finished speaking, she glanced around the hall and looked at the civil and military officials left behind by Emperor Wuding.

The newly built Wuding Hall is much smaller than the Huangji Hall in the capital, and is only slightly larger than the main hall of the former Liaodong General's Mansion.

In May of the first year of Wuding, the emperor and empress went on a hunting expedition to Liaodong in the north. They were busy with military affairs and this palace, which was barely built, was only used for the coronation ceremony of the young emperor. Not to mention compared with the Forbidden City, even compared with Dudu's Khan Palace in Hetuala, its scale and shape were extremely simple.

The last civil servants and military generals of the Great Qi Dynasty were crowded in the small palace, and like this short-lived empire, they were eventually forced into a desperate situation.

"Now that things have come to this, there's no need to hide anything. If you have anything to say, please speak out!"

Jin Yuji repeated it again.

The outspoken Qiao Yiqi was the first to speak up. He saluted the Empress Dowager and said straight to the point:

"Three months ago, Minister Ma, commissioned by Prime Minister Kang, went to Shandong to seek aid and prevent the Southern Ming from invading the north. Since then, no news has been received, and we don't know whether he is alive or dead. Now that the plague in the north has passed, the Southern Ming and the bandits are unable to reach the capital and its surrounding areas and are unable to occupy them. This is a good opportunity. Du Du is colluding with the Rakshasa demons and the red-haired barbarians, and the Jiannu army is strong and powerful, unlike before. Instead of fighting hard in Shenyang and being massacred when the city is broken, we should enter the country from Fuzhou, occupy Beijing and Tianjin, and create a new world!"

"Master Qiao is absolutely right!"

"The late emperor said, if you save the land but lose the people, you lose both the land and the people; if you save the people but lose the land, you save both the land and the people. It's better to abandon Shenyang, and the same goes for Fuzhou!"

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As soon as Qiao Yiqi finished speaking, there was an immediate chorus of agreement from all around, and most of the civil officials and military officers present expressed their agreement.

Just as Qiao Dazui said, with bandits causing chaos, the Wanggongchang explosion, and the plague running rampant, the counties and prefectures along the way from the capital to Shanhaiguan had experienced all kinds of disasters and had become a ghostly ruin a few months ago.

Now that the plague has subsided, and the floods, droughts, and locust plagues are over, the bandits and the Ming army are out of reach. Since the Qi army can no longer stay in Liaodong, it is better to withdraw to the interior and occupy a piece of land as soon as possible, so that they can attack or defend, and have great potential.

There was a buzz of discussion in the hall. Kang Yinggan sighed and looked up at the throne. The Empress Dowager Cisi had a calm expression and remained silent.

Xu Guangqi, the Grand Secretary of the Dongge, took a step forward, holding a tablet in his hand, and said to the Empress Dowager Cisheng earnestly:

"What Minister Qiao just said is truly a wise and prudent strategy for the country. The Empress Dowager is wise. Currently, our army has only 20,000 troops, trapped in Shenyang. The Jiannu have 30,000 to 40,000 men, and the Korean army has about 20,000 as well, with a large number of bannermen attached to them. The enemy is numerous, we are few, we have no reinforcements from outside, and there are rebels within. Even if the late emperor were here, it would be difficult to resist the enemy."

Xu Guangqi coughed lightly twice. He was originally Yang Hao's mortal enemy. When Yang Hao was in power, Xu Guangqi indulged in scientific research and tinkered with firearms. After Yang Hao died for his country, Xu Guangqi was suppressed by Kang Yinggan. Seeing that the Abandoning City Faction now had a slight advantage, he decided to press on with the victory, completely overwhelm Kang Yinggan, and occupy a dominant position in the court.

"The civilians of Shenyang are far inferior to the merchants of Kaiyuan. They have shown no appreciation for the late emperor's kindness. After only two months of siege, some began to flee. The tens of thousands of people left in the city now are mostly those brought here from Kaiyuan and Tieling. The Empress Dowager is merciful and cannot bear to kill the fleeing civilians, but in the long run, this will only aid the enemy. When Du Du attacked the city, those fleeing civilians became cannon fodder for the Qing army to fill the trenches, and the first to climb the city walls like ants. Furthermore, if we delay, the city's food and fodder will be exhausted. By then, when the weather turns cold and the Jiannu army doesn't need to attack, our army will be defeated. Therefore, I believe that while our army still has the strength to fight, we should immediately retreat to the interior of the country to preserve our strength and plan for a resurgence. This is the best strategy."

After Xu Guangqi finished speaking, he glanced at Kang Yingqian who was standing in front of him. Kang Yingqian just snorted softly and did not respond.

The chattering sound was heard again in the hall.

Jin Yuji looked down at everyone and said in a deep voice, "Do the other ministers think so too?"

All the ministers agreed.

Whether to fight or defend, to go or stay, all the pressure fell on Jin Yu Ji in an instant.

The Queen Mother looked at her brother Kim Dae-gu and the Korean general Kim Eung-ha. These two were the Queen Mother's core team. Together with Kang Eung-gan, they were considered the Queen Mother's party, or simply the Queen's party.

Jin Dajiu coughed lightly and said in not very fluent Chinese:

"What you two adults said makes sense, but we are still defending the city, so let's just talk about defending the city. From Hetuala to here, we didn't fight any hard battles along the way. We evacuated cities like Kaiyuan, Fushun, Qinghe, and Tieling on our own. We only fought a battle with them in Liaoyang. We had very few soldiers at that time, so it's reasonable that we lost. The Han people have a saying that arrogant soldiers will be defeated. I think Dudu is very arrogant now. He even dared to ask for marriage from the Queen Mother. He is so arrogant that his demise is not far away. Can we not fight without reinforcements? Now that the women and children in the city have fled, from now on, it is strictly forbidden for refugees to leave the city. Hold on and wait for reinforcements. We can at least hold out for three months!"

Ge Yewen asked, "What about three months later?"

My brother-in-law shrugged his shoulders and said nothing.

Standing next to him was Jin Yinghe, who stood firm like an iron tower in the frost, not moving an inch. Jin Yuji turned her gaze to Kang Yingqian again.

"What does Prime Minister Kang think?"

Kang Yingqian bowed to the Empress Dowager, looked around, glared at Xu Guangqi and Qiao Yiqi, and said with murderous intent:

"Du Du is a narrow-minded man, a vindictive villain. Both I and Huang Taiji died at the hands of the Kaiyuan army. He once served under them... For both public and private reasons, he won't let us go. The Qing army is at its peak, and with the Korean army's support, it will be difficult for the Qi army to escape whether they leave or stay. Shenyang is a city with high walls and deep moats, and its military is strong. There is enough food and grass to sustain it for three months. I, an old man in my sixties, am not afraid, so what are you afraid of? We can still fight in Shenyang. If we withdraw, and the Qing army follows us halfway, will we fight or surrender? If we can't even fight in the city, how can we fight in the field?"

Every word Kang Yingqian said made sense, and his voice was rhythmic, with an irrefutable aura.

There was an immediate burst of praise from the surroundings, these were the officials who supported Kang Yingqian.

Xu Guangqi smiled coldly and said:

"As long as we hold Shanhaiguan, the fertile land and refugees within can all be used by Great Qi. In three to five years, we'll be able to return and sweep through the land like the late emperor did! As for staying in Shenyang, let's not even talk about whether we can defeat the Qing army. Most of the remaining soldiers in Shenyang are from within the pass, and some have returned from Sichuan. If we leave them here, can they survive the harsh winter in Liaodong?"

Song Yingxing countered, "If we can't even hold Shenyang, how can we hold Shanhaiguan? The dangers outside the pass mean it's easy to survive inside? Three years to recover? By then, morale will be shattered and we'll be a loose mess. I'm afraid we'll be wiped out!"

"Master Song, please stop exaggerating!" Ge Yewen said sarcastically:

"I can certainly understand your reluctance to return to the interior of the country. We all know that your Song family still has some assets in Shenyang! What the Song family did in Kaiyuan back then, do you want to do it again now?"

"The Song family's shop was sealed long ago, and my brother was executed for corruption and dereliction of duty. The grudge is settled, and everyone in Kaiyuan knows about this. Ge Yewen, what are your intentions? With the enemy at our doorstep, you're slandering us and trying to mislead the people!"

Ge Yewen raised his arms and shouted, pointing at Song Yingxing and cursing:

"Slander? I only want to preserve the bloodline of the Great Qi. Unlike you, who are obsessed with your own selfish interests and insist on staying in Shenyang, you are not hesitant to let the country be buried with you!"

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The two sides were arguing and were about to start a fight.

With a bang, the crowd suddenly quieted down.

The Empress Dowager Cisi slammed the table and stood up.

"Shut up!"

Jin Yuji looked up at Zhao Lujiao.

"Commander Zhao, please share your thoughts! When the late emperor was alive, he always valued Prefect Yuan. The emperor has always been resentful of the Japanese incident and cannot forgive himself! He said that the people he feels most sorry for are Yuan Chonghuan and Empress Zhang..."

Zhao Lujiao didn't say a word from beginning to end today.

Zhao Lujiao was Yuan Chonghuan's trusted subordinate and Yuan Dudu's old partner. When Yuan Chonghuan led the 9th and 10th Imperial Guard Armies into Kyushu, they lost more than half of their troops, with only 2,000 escaping.

Yuan Chonghuan eventually perished together with the evil monk - all of this was the result of Emperor Wuding's insistence on dividing the troops and waging war on a reckless scale. The two imperial guards stationed in Kyushu actually became victims of the emperor's wrong decision.

The lesson from the Yin Dynasty is not far away. Zhao Lujiao is now very sensitive when he hears words like "divide troops" and "retreat".

He and his two thousand soldiers are the middle force between war and defense, and are also the key figures that both factions want to win over.

"Empress Dowager," Zhao Lujiao looked up at Jin Yuji who was standing in front of the throne.

At this moment, he remembered what Yuan Chonghuan said to him before his death.

"In his final moments in Japan, Governor Yuan asked me to forgive Emperor Wuding and bring the soldiers home."

When talking about Yuan Chonghuan, Zhao Lujiao's eyes turned slightly red.

"Lord Yuan said that our emperor far surpassed Yao and Shun, and was an eternal ruler, but he was too impatient. The affairs of Japan were not the emperor's fault. He warned me that if there was a crisis, I must fully assist the Great Qi. Most of the soldiers in the Ninth and Tenth Armies were Liao people. I risked my life to lead them back to Liaodong."

Everyone looked over here, looking at the tall Zhao Lujiao.

Zhao Lujiao's voice suddenly became high-pitched.

"My troops were defeated once in Japan. I don't want them to be defeated again in Shenyang. The last time I was defeated, my chief officer Yuan Chonghuan died. This time, who should die? The little emperor or the empress dowager?!"

"well said!"

Jin Yu Ji pulled out the goose-feather knife that had killed countless people. With a flick of her hand, the knife slashed down, and with a flash of cold light, it cut off a corner of the imperial table.

All the ministers were startled and looked up blankly at this stubborn Korean woman who had fought in battles with the late emperor.

"I don't understand military affairs. I only know that the foundation built by the late emperor with blood and countless soldiers sacrificed their lives. How can we abandon it? The Kaiyuan army must advance, not retreat. Advance offers a glimmer of hope, retreat leaves no burial place. This sword was given to us by the late emperor before his death. Anyone who retreats will use it to kill us, the orphans and the widows! Kill the soldiers of the three armies! Step over our corpses and safely retreat back to the interior!"

The hall was silent.

A moment later, Zhao Lujiao was the first to kneel down and shouted to the Empress Dowager Cisheng:
"I am willing to lead the remaining troops to defend Shenyang to the death. I would rather die than retreat!"

All the ministers knelt down and shouted to the Emperor and Empress Dowager on the throne:
"Defend Shenyang to the death and never retreat!"

(End of this chapter)