I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

On the tenth day of the eleventh month, in Liaoyang City, the weather was extremely cold.

Water droplets freeze instantly.

In the front courtyard of the Censorate, a large pile of various goods were displayed. These were local specialties from the northern border that Shen Nian had ordered to be easily sold.

There are various kinds of animal hides.

Examples include: mink fur, bear fur, deer fur, wild horse fur, seal fur, fox fur, sea otter fur, lynx fur, etc.

There are various medicinal herbs.

Examples include: ginseng, schisandra chinensis, deer antler, deer antler, musk, bezoar, whale eye, donkey-hide gelatin, seal kidney, and Acanthopanax senticosus.

There are all kinds of mountain delicacies and wild products.

Examples include: pine nuts, hazelnuts, mushrooms, honey, beeswax, pecans, sea silk, acorns, etc.

There are various kinds of seafood and treasures.

Examples include: sturgeon, cowfish, pearl, whale oil, akadama, talc, etc.

……

Of course, there are also the most basic and best-selling goods, such as cattle, horses, sheep, donkeys, and mules.

There are more than a hundred varieties in total.

Shen Nian's next task was to have people compile these goods into a catalog, set prices, and then make every effort to acquire them.

Many Mongol and Jurchen tribes were unaware that some of the things beneath their feet could be exchanged for large quantities of grain and cloth.

What Shen Nian needs to do is first popularize common sense and let them taste the benefits, then the supply of goods will be able to continue.

Currently, Shen Nian uses two methods to generate profit.

On the one hand, the official warehouses of Jiliao were used to purchase goods and then sell them to merchants to earn the price difference; on the other hand, the merchants were allowed to trade on their own, and the Jiliao government collected a fixed amount of commercial tax.

Looking at the dazzling array of goods, Shen Nian felt even more confident in developing trade in Jiliao.

The forests and mountains of Liaodong are filled with treasures, and what we lack most right now are people who can discover them.

At the same time, Shen Nian also heard some news from the capital.

For example, the young Wanli Emperor spent too much on the wedding of Prince Lu; the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs embezzled silver from the Imperial Treasury; the young Wanli Emperor forcibly collected 200,000 taels of silver from the Court of Imperial Stud and 50,000 taels of silver from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for his own use; and the daily lectures on the classics were gradually discontinued, etc.

Shen Nian had nothing to say about this.

Even if he submitted a memorial to the throne to offer advice, the young Emperor Wanli, who was thousands of miles away, would not listen to him.

……

November 25th, afternoon.

A heavy snowfall, as large as goose feathers, fell from the sky, and in less than half an hour, the entire city of Liaodong was covered in white.

The front courtyard of the Censorate.

Shen Nian was standing in the corridor, admiring the snow.

Zhang Xueyan, the governor of Liaodong, and Li Chengliang, the general of Liaodong, approached Shen Nian with serious expressions.

Judging from their expressions, Shen Nian knew they had important matters to discuss, so she immediately led them to the front hall.

Li Chengliang spoke first: "Ziheng, there's been some trouble in the Haixi Jurchen area around the North and South Passes. The Hada tribe in the South Pass has asked us for help, wanting us to send troops to deal with the Yehe tribe!"

"Is that the Yehe tribe, which has been attacking the Hada tribe in alliance with the Mongols for the past six months and has ignored our dynasty's edicts to make peace?"

"Yes, I thought you were too busy with business to read the military memorials!" Li Chengliang said with a smile. Now that Shen Nian knew the basic situation, it would be easier to communicate.

Although Shen Nian was busy with the trade between Ji and Liao, he knew that military affairs were the guarantee of trade, and his ultimate goal was to curb the growth of the Jurchen people.

How could I not care about the military situation in Liaodong!
In Guangshun Pass, also known as the South Pass, in Kaiyuan City, Liaodong, there was a Jurchen tribe called the Hada tribe.

The Hada tribe maintained friendly relations with the Ming Dynasty, and its location was a major trade route between the Ming Dynasty and the Haixi Jurchens.

In Kaiyuan Town, north of the pass, there is a Yehe tribe. The Yehe tribe is ambitious and wants to replace the Hada tribe.

Last year, Wang Tai, the leader of the Hada tribe, passed away. His son, Menggebulu, succeeded him, but his power weakened considerably. As a result, the Yehe tribe allied with the Nuantu and Huanghutai tribes of Mongolia, intending to destroy the Hada tribe.

The two tribes have fought many times in the past year, with the Yehe tribe occupying many places of the Hada tribe.

"Lord Ningyuan, what are your thoughts?" Shen Nian asked Li Chengliang.

Li Chengliang puffed out his chest and said, "The Yehe tribe is too ambitious. We absolutely cannot let them annex the Hada tribe. I suggest supporting the Hada tribe to deal with the Yehe tribe!"

"How do we deal with it?" Shen Nian asked again.

"I'm thinking of personally leading troops to the North Pass of Kaiyuan Town to intimidate the Yehe tribe first. If they listen to our advice, stop attacking the Hada tribe, and return the land they have seized, then we will not fight them. If they do not listen, then we will fight the Yehe tribe!"

Zhang Xueyan quickly added, "If we can persuade them, we should try our best to avoid war!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian couldn't help but laugh.

"When did you two learn to reason with the Jurchens? In the past, wouldn't you have just beaten them up?"

Upon hearing this, both Li Chengliang and Zhang Xueyan were taken aback.

Li Chengliang looked at Shen Nian and said, "Ziheng, if it were up to us, we would definitely send troops to beat them up immediately. But aren't we worried that you might disagree? You advocate peace for the development of trade. If you disagree, how can we fight?"

Although Shen Nian was the governor of Jiliao and did not interfere in military affairs, he was still the top military and political leader in Jiliao.

Shen Nian couldn't help but roll her eyes at Li Chengliang.

"The Yehe tribe is practically kicking us in the face. How can we tolerate this? Trade and military affairs are two different things. When it comes to those who don't obey, we should beat them when necessary, and beat them to death. What's the use of reasoning with them?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengliang immediately became excited.

He took a map out of his pocket.

"Actually, I've already thought it through. I plan to offer them great rewards, feigning to appease the Yehe tribe's leaders, the brothers Qingjianu and Yangjinu, and then lead my troops to ambush them outside the pass. The Yehe tribe only has five thousand cavalry, and only three thousand should come out, with no more than five hundred entering the pass. Inside the northern pass, we have firearms and cannons, which we can use to surround and kill them. As for outside the pass, I'll lead my men to ambush them. Once we've dealt with those cavalry, we can pursue them and surround Yehe City. Destroying the Yehe tribe will be a piece of cake!"

When Li Chengliang talked about the battle plan, he was not only excited but also quite confident. His tone made it seem as if annihilating the Yehe tribe was as easy as cutting melons and vegetables.

Shen Nian smiled and said, "I have no objection, but I hope that since we're going to fight, we should cripple the Yehe tribe. Bring all two thousand of the lightning muskets I brought and test their firepower. Also, have Qi Hu send another three hundred Imperial Guards to join the battle. They need to hone their skills through this kind of combat!"

“No problem!” Li Chengliang said excitedly.

“Sigh, Ziheng, we’ve spent half the day discussing how to subtly tell you how to start the war. If we had known you were so supportive, we would have come yesterday!” Zhang Xueyan said.

"Gentlemen, trade is trade, and military affairs are military affairs. Even if I'm blinded by money, I know that only by constantly showing my fist can we protect our money!"

Hearing this, Li Chengliang and Zhang Xueyan felt very relieved.

Just then, Shen Nian thought for a moment and said, "Lord Ningyuan, I would like you to bring one more person with you for this battle."

"Who?"

“Me!” Shen Nian pointed to her nose.

Zhang Xueyan quickly shook his head and said, "Ziheng, you absolutely must not. As the governor of Jiliao, how can you personally go to the front line? If something happens to you, there will be no amount of heads left in Liaodong to be chopped off."

"Yes! Ziheng, war is risky. You have no combat experience whatsoever, you absolutely cannot go!"

Shen Nian shook his head slightly.

“I’m not going to the front lines to command or participate in the battle. I just want to see what the Jurchens are like when they fight, and whether many Jurchens crave war or peace. I promise, I’ll stay far away from the battlefield and just watch from a distance. This close observation will be very important for how I can persuade the Jurchens to abandon their military and go into business…” “Alright, watch from a distance, that’s all you can do!” Li Chengliang said.

“No problem!” Shen Nian said with a smile.

Although Shen Nian had killed people during his many years in office, he had never experienced war. He needed to see the state of the Jurchens and their level of barbarity before deciding whether to change them or expel them.

This was a rare opportunity, and Shen Nian was naturally unwilling to let it slip by.

……

Three days later, Li Chengliang led three thousand cavalrymen toward Kaiyuan City, where several thousand more cavalrymen were stationed. It would be no problem for them to wipe out the Yehe tribe.

at the same time.

Qi Hu personally led a team of five hundred Imperial Guards to escort Shen Nian toward Kaiyuan City.

Three hundred of the Imperial Guards participated in the battle, and he and two hundred Imperial Guards were specifically responsible for protecting Shen Nian's safety.

Kaiyuan City is more than 330 li away from Liaoyang City. In the past, it would have taken three days to reach the city by horseback at full speed.

However, due to frequent rain and snow, it took the group six days to reach Kaiyuan City.

Kaiyuan City is smaller than Liaoyang City, but its border trade is well-developed, and it was Shen Maoxue who started it up.

Shen Nian moved into the city that day.

This time, he did not reveal his identity, nor did he intend to participate in military decision-making. Instead, he hid among them as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The following day, Li Chengliang sent someone with an imperial edict of pacification, promising numerous rewards, to the Yehe tribe.

……

On the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, inside Yehe City.

The two middle-aged men, dressed in animal-skin coats, stared wide-eyed when they saw the list of rewards bestowed upon them by the Ming Dynasty.

The two men left the messenger in the front hall and then rushed into a side hall to discuss the matter.

These two were the leaders of the Yehe tribe; the elder brother was named Qingjianu and the younger brother was named Yangjinu.

Accustomed to a life of plunder, wealth held immense allure for them.

"Brother, are we really going to accept the offer of amnesty? If we do, we'll probably have to obey the orders of the Ming Dynasty, which will be so uncomfortable!"

"Hmph! The Han people have no right to manage us Jurchens. What I'm after is their rewards. We'll get the rewards first, and then create an opportunity to clash with the Hada tribe. As long as we can wipe out the Hada tribe and control the trade routes from the Ming Dynasty to our entire Haixi Jurchen tribe, the Ming Dynasty will give us more and more rewards, and they'll have to be subservient to us in the future!"

"What if... what if... Li Chengliang sends troops to attack us? Or is it possible that this pacification campaign is actually an attempt to annihilate us?"

Qingjia Nu shook her head.

"No, this year a governor who only knows how to do business came to Liaodong. I heard that this governor is only in his thirties and is focused on developing commerce. He is particularly opposed to war. No matter how powerful Li Chengliang is, he will still be under the governor's jurisdiction. He would never dare to fight. Besides, if they are just pretending to appease us, do you think we can be bullied by them with our three thousand cavalry? Let's get the rewards first and make the Ming Dynasty recognize our status before we talk about anything else!"

"Okay, listen to big brother."

……

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Shen Nian and Li Chengliang received the news.

The Yehe tribe leaders Qingjianu and Yangjinu will arrive at the North Gate of Kaiyuan City on the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month to accept the Ming Dynasty's offer of amnesty.

Li Chengliang was overjoyed.

He immediately ordered Huo Jiugao, the garrison commander of Kaiyuan City, to welcome the Yehe tribe leader inside the pass and keep their troops under three hundred men, while keeping all other cavalry outside the pass.

Li Chengliang will lead 5,000 men to ambush outside the pass.

As soon as the cannons fire from inside the pass, the enemy's main cavalry force will inevitably rush into the pass to rescue people, and then it will be Li Chengliang's turn to lead his troops to attack.

Shen Nian had already found the best spot to watch the game.

On the North Gate Tower.

He was able to look at the battles within the pass first, and then at the battles outside the pass.

……

It was the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, around noon.

The Yehe tribe leaders Qingjianu and Yangjinu led three thousand cavalrymen to the north gate of Kaiyuan City.

They were greeted by Huo Jiugao, the garrison commander of Kaiyuan City.

Huo Jiugao was a young man who was nearly nine feet tall. He looked at Qing Jianu and Yang Jinu and glared at them, saying, "If you accept the offer of amnesty, you can only bring a maximum of three hundred men into the pass. The rest of the men will have to wait outside the pass."

If only Qingjianu and Yangjinu were allowed to enter the pass, they would certainly not go in, so three hundred men were chosen.

Qingjianu and Yangjinu were naturally familiar with the rules and regulations of the Ming Dynasty.

They immediately mustered 300 men and sent them into the North Gate, while the remaining 2,000 or so waited outside.

To indicate that there were no traps, the city gates were not closed.

A quarter of an hour later.

After Qing Jianu and Yang Jinu led three hundred cavalrymen for about a thousand paces, Huo Jiugao looked at them and said, "Those who enter the inner pass must remove their armor and lay down their weapons!"

"You're talking nonsense!" said a burly man next to Qingjianu and Yangjinu.

At that moment, Shen Nian stood not far away, observing all of this.

"Those who enter the inner pass must remove their armor and lay down their weapons!" Huo Jiugao continued, while gripping his sword.

At this moment, Qingjia Nu suddenly sensed something was wrong and exclaimed, "Oh no, there's an ambush!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the man beside him drew his sword and slashed at Huo Jiugao.

Swish!
The sword struck Huo Jiugao's arm directly. Huo Jiugao immediately retaliated and shouted, "Destroy the traitors!"

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Immediately, a large number of soldiers wielding muskets rushed over.

In the blink of an eye, the Yehe tribe leaders Qingjianu and Yangjinu at the forefront, along with the man beside them, were hit by muskets and fell to the ground.

At this moment, Shen Nian realized that even generals and leaders could die instantly on the battlefield.

At the same time, cannon fire rang out from the city gate tower.

boom! boom! boom!
The soldiers guarding the city gate at Beiguan immediately closed it.

Sensing something was amiss, the Yehe tribe cavalry outside the pass immediately stormed the city gate.

Just then, Li Chengliang, who had heard the cannon fire, grabbed his longsword and shouted, "Brothers, charge! Kill these barbarians and take no prisoners!"

In the Ming Dynasty, military merits were determined by the number of heads taken. Li Chengliang disliked prisoners and would kill them if possible.

Immediately, a fight broke out both inside and outside the city gates.

There were the sounds of muskets and cannons, as well as the clashes of cold weapons and the charge between cavalrymen.

The air was thick with the smell of blood.

If Shen Nian hadn't possessed such a strong will, she probably would have already vomited by now.

When war breaks out, soldiers are no longer human beings, but rather numbers used by the enemy to gain military merit. (End of Chapter)