Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 604 Reception and Testing (Part 2)
“Envoy Wu has asked the wrong person.” Yuan Keli shook his head and bowed to the south, saying, “The great strategy of military affairs lies first in the Emperor’s divine wisdom, second in the court’s strategic planning, and third in the military strategy. It is not here in my humble military affairs post.”

Gao Bangzu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, and couldn't help but mutter to himself: "A mere military commissioner."
“Councilor Yuan is too modest,” Wu Yunqian said with utmost respect. “You were appointed by the Imperial Council and sent by His Majesty to Zhenjiang to establish a circuit. Before taking office, you passed through Liaoyang and then went north to Shenyang. How could you not know the court’s military strategy?”

“That is true,” Yuan Keli waved his hand and said, “but when to send troops to Hetu Ala is still uncertain. At least I don’t know. My earlier mention of ‘great victory’ had no other meaning, so please don’t worry about it, Wu’s envoy.”

How could Wu Yunqian not be worried? He wanted to know the Ming Dynasty's next military strategy and why the court had sent Yuan Keli to Zhenjiang to establish a circuit.

"Please forgive my impertinence, Councilor Yuan," Wu Yunqian racked his brains for a long time, but couldn't find a suitable indirect way to say it, so he simply went straight to the point: "I believe that the court must have a reason for establishing circuits. Perhaps it is for military farming and horse breeding, like Haigai Circuit; perhaps it is for pacifying and controlling the barbarians, like Guangning Circuit; or perhaps it is for training troops and advancing troops, like Liaoyang Circuit. Zhenjiang has always been under the jurisdiction of Liaoyang Circuit or Haigai Circuit. Now the court has specially established Zhenjiang Circuit. I hope Councilor Yuan will not hesitate to enlighten me on the deeper meaning behind this."

“Councilor Gao, it seems you are still one step ahead,” Yuan Keli suddenly smiled and turned to look at Gao Bangzu beside him. “This imperial delegation crossed the border more than a month in advance, as expected, to spy on the court’s true intentions in establishing this route.”

"Hehe!" Gao Bangzuo didn't respond, but he also showed a smug smile that seemed to indicate he was one step ahead.

Wu Yunqian panicked and quickly explained, "Counselor Yuan and Councilor Gao have misunderstood! We crossed the border ahead of schedule because of the great victory in Shenyang and wanted to go north to witness the grandeur of the imperial army. We had no intention of spying. When we left the capital, we didn't even know that Councilor Yuan had been ordered to set up a road in Zhenjiang. We only heard about this from merchants after we passed Anzhou. Moreover, my question was not for spying, but simply to know whether the grand strategy of the Great Kingdom requires the assistance of our small state. If there is indeed a need for our assistance, I will immediately write to Hanyang and ask His Highness to send a special envoy to discuss it with you."

“Envoy Wu, there’s no need to be nervous. Councilor Gao and I were just having a casual chat; we didn’t mean anything by it.” Yuan Keli relaxed briefly. Regardless of the purpose of the delegation’s visit for the Emperor’s Birthday, Wu Yunqian’s reaction and the question itself ruled out the scenario he was most worried about.

Yuan Keli even felt a faint urge to tell Wu Yunqian about the guardianship strategy. At this point, even if Wu Yunqian immediately knew the true purpose of his trip, it wouldn't change anything. The Ming Dynasty did indeed need Joseon's assistance, but it didn't need the king to send someone to negotiate.

Wu Yunqian looked at Yuan Keli, his heart filled with unease. He didn't know what Yuan Keli was thinking, but he sensed that something bad was brewing beneath Yuan Keli's seemingly warm smile.

"Hoo!" Yuan Keli exhaled a breath of hot air, forcefully suppressing his impulse. He understood that this was nothing more than the petty ambition of a man utterly lacking in the demeanor of a minister. Yuan Keli composed himself, and when he spoke again, his smile had greatly diminished, and his tone had become more even: "Does the Wu envoy know about the situation with the barbarians in Kuandian?"

“I don’t know much,” Wu Yunqian shook his head and said, “I’ve only heard that the slave bandits have been more active in Shuozhou.”

"What activity?" Yuan Keli asked subconsciously, "Have the Jurchen rebels launched a full-scale attack on the city across the river?"

"It's not that serious," Wu Yunqian shook his head and said, "They probably just want to plunder the villages."

"How is the situation?" Yuan Keli nodded slightly. In fact, before Wu Yunqian could answer, he had already rejected the question he had raised, because there were always Ming spies active in Shuozhou. Although their numbers were not large for the time being, it was impossible that they couldn't even find out about such an important matter as the siege.

“They’ve already been driven back.” Wu Yunqian’s wrinkled face twitched slightly. “The garrison commander over there is reporting his victory to Hanyang.”

"Have you made any progress?" Yuan Keli then asked.

“No gains,” Wu Yunqian said with an embarrassed smile. “In fact, two garrison soldiers died.”

When Wu Yunqian and his entourage passed through Dingzhou, they happened to encounter a messenger sent by the garrison commander of Shuozhou to Hanyang to report their victory. Wu Yunqian initially assumed this was a report of "victories," but upon further inquiry, he learned that the reason given was simply "repelling" and "protecting the people." Without evidence, who knows if this was a cover-up for a victory? If Wu Yunqian hadn't been sent on this mission, he would have certainly submitted a memorial refuting this absurd report and requesting an investigation upon its arrival in Hanyang.

"In other words," Yuan Keli slowly suppressed his already sparse smile, "that the Wu envoy doesn't know just how many slave bandits are stationed in Kuandian?"

“I truly do not know,” Wu Yunqian said, bowing slightly. “I humbly request that Councilor Yuan enlighten me.”

“At least 50,000 men, half of whom are elite.” Yuan Keli’s voice was flat, but to Wu Yunqian and the others, it was like a thunderbolt.

"This! Is this news accurate!?" Wu Yunqian's voice trembled slightly. The clerk, Li Qingquan, paused in mid-air once again, his hand holding the pen still in mid-air.

Yuan Keli picked up his teacup, his tone as steady as that of a reclusive sage: "In Kuandian, there are three banners: one with blue borders, one with red borders, and one with white borders. Besides these three banners, there are also four Niru (military units) with two yellow banners. The total number of Niru stationed in Kuandian—the blue, red, and white banners plus the four yellow banner Niru—exceeds eighty. Each Niru has three hundred men, so that's a total of twenty-four thousand elite troops. Furthermore," Yuan Keli took another sip of tea before continuing:
"The general commanding the Kuandian slave bandits is the Second Prince 'Amin'. Besides 'Amin', the slave bandits also sent Generals 'Dudu' and 'Yato'. 'Amin' is the slave chieftain's nephew and the chieftain of the Bordered Blue Banner. 'Dudu' and 'Yato' are the slave chieftain's grandsons, respectively in charge of the Bordered White Banner and the Bordered Red Banner. What does the Wu envoy think the slave chieftain is doing sending these close associates with so many troops to Kuandian?"

"Could it be that they're going to attack Shuozhou?" The moment the question left his mouth, Wu Yunqian suddenly remembered the question Yuan Keli had just raised.

Yuan Keli's expression shifted slightly, his suspicions about Wu Yunqian lessening somewhat. "I'm afraid it's not just Shuozhou," Yuan Keli set down his teacup, his finger tracing a slight arc in the air. "After Shuozhou, there's Guizhou, Dingzhou, and Anzhou. After Shuozhou, Guizhou, Dingzhou, and Anzhou comes Pyongyang, and after Pyongyang..."

"How could this be!" Wu Yunqian's face changed drastically and he exclaimed in shock. Li Qingquan was so horrified that he stopped recording.

"Why does Envoy Wu think it's impossible?" Yuan Keli asked quietly. "This, I..." Wu Yunqian couldn't answer.

"Does the Wu envoy think that even if the Jurchens stationed troops in Kuandian, it's because they want to attack my Zhenjiang?" Yuan Keli asked again.

Wu Yunqian was still in shock and completely oblivious to the probing intent in Yuan Keli's words. He pondered for a moment and said, "If the news is true, and the Jurchen traitors have indeed moved tens of thousands of troops to Kuandian, their treason must be targeting our country! Even if they attack Zhenjiang first, it's to destroy the western barrier of Yizhou and cut off the Heavenly Dynasty's aid route to save us!"

Yuan Keli's gaze softened as he looked at Wu Yunqian.

After a moment of silence, Wu Yunqian seemed to suddenly understand something. He abruptly stood up, took half a step back, and knelt down before Yuan Keli across the large table in the center: "The Emperor's grace is boundless and beyond words. The survival of our small nation depends solely on Your Excellency!"

Yuan Keli was completely stunned. Not only was he stunned, but everyone at the table, except for Wu Yunqian himself, was at a loss for what to do by this sudden action.

The first to regain his senses was Liu Yingyuan, the deputy envoy for the Emperor's Birthday. Shortly after Wu Yunqian knelt down, Liu Yingyuan consciously left his seat and knelt beside Wu Yunqian. The young scribe Li Qingquan, however, stood frozen in place, pen in hand, unsure whether to kneel down as well or to write down the previous conversation between Yuan and Wu and the current situation.

Yuan Keli quickly became restless. Regardless, Wu Yunqian's entourage was officially envoys going to the capital to offer birthday greetings to the emperor. What kind of nonsense was it for an envoy from a vassal state to kneel before a subject in public? If it weren't for the previous events, Yuan Keli might have even suspected that Wu Yunqian had guessed Lu Wenzhao's identity and was deliberately trying to sabotage him.

"Envoy Wu, Envoy Liu, why are you kneeling before me?" Yuan Keli quickly stood up, walked past the stunned Li Qingquan and the kneeling Liu Yingyuan to Wu Yunqian's side, and forcibly pulled him up as he spoke. "Get up, get up quickly!"

Wu Yunqian hadn't expected that Yuan, the councilor who looked to be about his age, would be so strong, managing to pull him up from the ground. Wu Yunqian tried to kneel again, but couldn't, so he remained standing, maintaining a subservient and obsequious posture. "The fate of our humble state rests solely in your hands, Your Excellency. How can we possibly be disrespectful and unbowed?"

“The Emperor’s birthday is a noble and important occasion, and I, Yuan, am not worthy of such a grand ceremony.” Yuan Keli said lightly, then turned around and helped Liu Yingyuan up again, “Envoy Liu, please get up quickly.”

"Our nation is facing a crisis of survival. The situation is urgent, and I lost my composure in the process." Liu Yingyuan rose and bowed again, offering a quick reassurance while glancing at Li Qingquan. "I beg your forgiveness, sir!"

“Where the royal authority lies, and where etiquette is upheld, how can we overstep our bounds with mere sentiment? You two envoys, please show some restraint. If you continue, I, Yuan, will have no choice but to leave.” Yuan Keli waved his hand and returned to his seat. At this moment, Gao Bangzuo, Lu Wenzhao, and Mao Wenlong all stood up. Only Li Qingquan remained seated, stunned and at a loss, beside the large table.

“Councilor Yuan is well aware of the enemy’s situation and has a clear understanding of it. He must already have a plan to repel the enemy and protect the country. If we need our small state’s assistance, we hope you will give us your guidance.” Wu Yunqian stood beside the chair, his head bowed and his eyes lowered as if he were a servant.

"Please be seated, Your Excellencies." Yuan Keli sat down, waved his hand, and then nodded to Li Qingquan. "Li Xiuzhuan is truly admirable. He remains calm and composed in the face of adversity, displaying the demeanor of a true gentleman."

"I..." Li Qingquan was startled, only then did he come to his senses. "No... sigh!" He opened and closed his mouth several times, finally letting out a small sigh, his face red as he lowered his head.

Liu Yingyuan glanced at Li Qingquan with slight displeasure. Afterward, his eyes kept glancing at the records.

Wu Yunqian's attention remained undiminished; he continued to gaze at Yuan Keli. Seeing that Yuan Keli not only ignored him but also maintained an arrogant "I won't speak unless you sit down" attitude, he had no choice but to bow again and slowly take his seat. "I apologize for my rudeness."

Wu Yunqian sat down, and Liu Yingyuan followed suit.

Yuan Keli then turned around and slowly began, "Before discussing our strategy, I would like to hear about your country's defenses in Shuo, Gui, Ding, An, and the surrounding areas of Pyongyang." Yuan Keli did not mention Yizhou, not because he feared that the astute Wu Yunqian would notice anything amiss, but because there was absolutely no need. Yizhou was far too close to Zhenjiang, separated only by a river; at least a little investigation would be sufficient to ascertain their location.

"Alas! To be honest, our small nation is weak and powerless, and it is truly difficult for us to protect ourselves under the rule of such traitors." Wu Yunqian was completely unaware of the probing intent in the question, treating it as a normal inquiry. "When I passed through An and Ding prefectures, I witnessed only the complacency of the civil officials and the laziness of the military. Although I was heartbroken, there was nothing I could do. To my shame, at this time, I am afraid that only the three of us in our court know something about the enemy's situation because Your Excellency has been so kind in informing us."

As he spoke, Wu Yunqian's face showed a look of extreme anxiety. "If the Jurchen traitors, as Councilor Yuan has said, raise tens of thousands of troops and march south from Shuozhou, they will surely sweep through like a whirlwind, entering an uninhabited land. I humbly beseech the Emperor's grace to send troops to intercept them and safeguard the peace of our vassal state."

"Envoy of Wu. I am under Your Majesty's command to rescue our vassal state. I now wish to know how many combat-ready troops are in Shuo, Gui, Ding, and Anzhou, especially Guizhou? If besieged by the Jurchen rebels, how many days can they hold out?" Yuan Keli's stance had subtly shifted. When he asked this question, his thoughts were no longer on how to control Korea, but on how to preserve it.

If Pyongyang and Hanyang were key to controlling Korea, then Uiju and Guju were the core of its defense. Controlling these two strategic points would prevent enemy forces from advancing south from the Kwanden direction. Conversely, if the Jurchen invaders captured and firmly controlled Uiju and Guju, then Jeongju, Anju, and even Pyongyang would be in danger.

Yuan Keli was not worried about the defenses of Yizhou, even though current intelligence clearly showed that the city's defenses were in a terrible state. This was because Yizhou and Zhenjiang were essentially one entity; the enemy could not possibly occupy and control Yizhou before conquering Zhenjiang. As for Zhenjiang's own defenses, once Zhang Mingshi's reinforcements arrived, even if Amin expended all his elite troops, he wouldn't be able to fill in those trenches and scale the walls of Zhenjiang.

"This..." Wu Yunqian looked embarrassed, his smile more like a grimace. "We did not pass through Guizhou on this trip, so we are unaware of the details. However, I imagine that Guizhou's defenses are probably not in much better shape."

(End of this chapter)