My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 210 Great Victory! The Great Victory at Gaomiao!
The ministers present began to speak in turn.

First, the Ministry of War reported on the defense of the capital. Although the Dongsheng Fortress had been completed, it would still cause panic in the capital if Mongol cavalry were to invade the capital region.

Therefore, the entire northern defense line must be mobilized to prevent a recurrence of the Mongol cavalry breaking into the capital.

In addition, the Ministry of War also reported on the logistical supply situation in Xuanfu and Datong.

The Ministry of Works then described the situation of casting cannons in Datong and explained the previous trial of the new cannonballs, praising their terrifying power as "a rain of bullets that kills both people and animals."

After listening to the reports from the ministers, each of the four Grand Secretaries gave his opinion on the affairs of his department.

Finally, Li Chunfang said:

"The Wushen tribe has provoked a border conflict, and our Great Ming should certainly strike back hard."

"From today onwards, the cabinet will take turns guarding the palace, and all six ministries and nine departments must have sufficient manpower to deal with military situations."

"The six ministries, six departments, and nine ministerial offices shall, without exception, impeach any official for 'mediocrity, laziness, or sluggishness,' and the cabinet shall issue a decree of dismissal without any leniency!"

The cabinet ministers and high-ranking officials all agreed.

Li Chunfang then looked at Su Ze and said:
"In this battle of Dongshengwei, the Yuefu Xinbao is allowed to publish non-classified military information, and each issue of the newspaper is submitted to the cabinet for approval."

"The Censorate must keep a close eye on the political climate in the capital, and those who spread rumors and mislead the public must be arrested immediately."

So that's why they summoned me to the Ministry of War.

Li Chunfang, the chief minister, is quite interesting. He usually seems to have a low profile, but he can inspire trust in people at crucial moments.

The cabinet ministers of the Longqing reign were described as "a forest of fierce ministers and a rain of valiant generals," but at crucial moments, they all obediently followed Li Chunfang's orders.
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On September 13, after review by the cabinet, the Yuefu Xinbao newspaper was temporarily supplemented with an additional issue, which included the causes and consequences of the Battle of Dongshengwei.

All four cabinet ministers wrote articles expressing their views on the war.

Among them, Gao Gong's articles are the most unique.

This time, Gao Gong did not act on moral grounds or use slogans like "the Mandate of Heaven for the Ming Dynasty."

Instead, it started from practical learning and analyzed the reasons why the grassland was bound to fail from multiple perspectives.

After reading it, Su Ze also felt that the article was reasonable and well-founded.

Zhang Juzheng's article, however, analyzed from a financial perspective that this grassland invasion "could not be sustained for long."

After reading the articles by the four cabinet ministers, Su Ze couldn't help but sigh, realizing that the cabinet had all mastered the art of public opinion warfare without any formal instruction.

But the results were indeed quite good.

In the past, whenever there was any movement from Mongolia, the people of the capital would be in a state of panic, and martial law and curfews would be imposed at the slightest provocation.

In addition, food prices will skyrocket, and some thugs and scoundrels will take the opportunity to cause trouble.

But this time, by explaining the situation clearly in the newspapers, the people of the capital calmed down.

With the cabinet's advance arrangements, the Beijing Garrison, the Imperial Guard, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard patrolled the city and cracked down on several secret society leaders who took the opportunity to cause trouble. This autumn defense of the capital was much more stable.

The rear is stable and military supplies are sufficient.

Next, we'll look at Qi Jiguang.
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September 20th.

In a teahouse near the Imperial College, Zhu Juntang was drinking tea and chatting with his friends from the Imperial College.

Zhu Juntang was originally a member of the royal family of the Dai Kingdom. He and his father crossed the border to the capital to file a complaint, but were hunted down by assassins sent by the Prince of Dai.

After Zhu Juntang struck the Dengwen Drum, the Dai Fan was abolished, and members of the Dai Fan clan were allowed to engage in the four classes of occupations.

Zhu Juntang already had a degree in the imperial examinations, and the Longqing Emperor granted him the privilege of studying at the Imperial Academy to participate in this year's Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination.

Zhu Juntang cherishes his current life. He has already rented out the land he was allocated in Datong to others for cultivation. In addition, his income as a field reporter for the "Yuefu Xinbao" at the Imperial College is enough for him to live a good life in the capital.

Drinking tea and chatting in teahouses has become a popular trend in the capital recently.

Teahouses usually provide several newspapers, and some even hire scholars to read them aloud.

The teahouses near the Imperial College naturally didn't need to hire people to read the newspapers.

"Zhang Sheng, the autumn imperial examinations won't be postponed this year, will they?"

Zhang Chun was the leader among the students of the Imperial Academy. He was the best in his studies and was praised by Shen Li, the director of studies, on many occasions. Several professors in the Imperial Academy believed that Zhang Chun could pass the provincial examination and become a Juren.

Zhang Chun said, "It definitely won't be postponed; the examination hall has already been locked down."

Hearing that the examination hall had been locked down, the students were relieved. To prevent cheating in the imperial examinations, the examiners would stay in the examination hall before the provincial and imperial examinations.

The provincial examination was scheduled for September 28th, so the fact that the courtyard is now locked means it will not be postponed.

Zhu Juntang also breathed a sigh of relief. The provincial examination was held once every three years, and if he failed, he would have to wait three years.

The imperial examination system was a zero-sum game; if you failed the provincial examination this year, you couldn't participate in the next provincial examination.

Zhu Juntang thought of his father. Participating in the imperial examination was his father's long-cherished wish. If he could pass the exam and become a Juren this time, he could surely comfort his father in the afterlife.

"Zhang Sheng, is that true?"

Zhang Chunyi said sternly:
"Let's not talk about these common rumors; they'll only make us laugh. The chief examiner for this provincial examination is Lord Shen Shixing, who is a good friend of Mr. Su."

Zhu Juntang thought about what his classmate had said. Among those participating in the Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination this time was the son of Zhang, one of the three Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet. Shen Shixing was Zhang Juzheng's disciple, and it was rumored that Zhang Juzheng had appointed Shen Shixing as the chief examiner in order to ensure that his son would pass the examination.

In addition, there is a widely circulated list that includes the sons of officials who participated in this Shuntian provincial examination.

Zhu Juntang also became somewhat worried. They, as students of the Imperial Academy, were admitted in the same year as the candidates from the official household registration system. If everyone on that list passed the imperial examination, then they, as tribute students, would have no chance.

After discussing the provincial examinations, the young scholars naturally returned to matters of state and military affairs.

"I heard that the Mongols have sent 10,000 cavalry to march straight for Datong. I wonder if Dongshengwei can hold it?"

"General Qi has fought in the south and north, and just at the beginning of the year he achieved a great victory at Soutao. The Wushen tribe that is invading this time is a defeated enemy of General Qi. He will surely be able to hold it."

"Shanxi has suffered from repeated wars in recent years, which has brought great hardship to the local people."

Then someone asked:

"Brother Zhu, you're from Datong, what's your opinion?"

Zhu Juntang was taken aback. What do you think?
He thought of his childhood when he was owed rice, recalled his father begging for food at the Prince of Dai's mansion and the Zongbo's house, and thought of the days when he was trapped in Datong City.

Zhu Juntang shook his head and said:
"The strategy of re-establishing Dongsheng and the fortress was proposed by Mr. Su. General Qi will surely win."

Upon hearing the name "Mr. Su," all the students nodded in agreement.

Su Ze held a position in their hearts no less than that of their mentor Shen Li. Everyone present could say that Su Ze had been a benefactor, from granting them the qualification to participate in the provincial examination in the capital to their part-time position as the field surveyor.

Throughout the past year, all of Su Ze's requests were granted, and everything was accomplished. Just then, someone suddenly rushed into the teahouse.

"Great victory! Great victory!"

Everyone stood up, and as the commotion outside the teahouse grew louder, the crowd surged toward the main avenue along the central axis of the capital.

Zhang Chun pulled his classmate aside and asked, "Is it Lu Bu reporting a victory?!"

The classmate, having caught his breath, said:

"A great victory at Dongshengwei! The Wushen tribe besieged five Dongsheng fortresses but failed to capture them. They had no choice but to abandon their supplies and bypass the fortresses, where they were attacked from both sides by General Qi's chariot troops and suffered a crushing defeat!"

"The leader of the Wushen tribe, Tuoba, has been captured, and all ten thousand of his cavalry have been wiped out!"

Upon hearing this news, the entire teahouse erupted in excitement.

Students from the Imperial Academy rushed out of the teahouse and followed the crowd toward the main avenue in the center of the capital, eager to witness the announcement of victory.
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"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the great victory at Dongsheng!"

The three heads of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs held high the banner announcing the victory. The Longqing Emperor, feigning composure, asked his chief minister, Li Chunfang:

"Grand Secretary Li, has the cabinet confirmed the credibility of the victory report? Is there any possibility of exaggeration or misrepresentation of the achievements?"

Li Chunfang bowed and said:
"General Qi's report of victory matches the previous military intelligence. The results still need to be verified by the Imperial Censor in charge of border defense, but a great victory would not be lied about."

Li Chunfang then said:

"The memorials from Wang Chonggu, the Governor-General of Xuanda, and Wang Yongji, the Governor of Datong, should arrive soon. Once the three parties verify each other, there will be no problem."

Now that the Longqing Emperor was certain the good news was true, he stood up from his dragon throne and said excitedly:

"For this great victory at Dongsheng, the Cabinet and the Ministry of War should discuss a plan for rewards and honors, and propose the establishment of Dongsheng. Officials who built Dongsheng should also be commended!"

"Guards! I wish to appeal to the ancestral temple!"

When it was heard that the emperor was going to sue the temple, none of the people present objected.

Such a great victory should naturally be known to our ancestors.

Li Chunfang said:
"Your Majesty, you may place messengers on both sides of the imperial carriage to announce the good news and let the people of the capital celebrate together."

The Longqing Emperor immediately said:

"Chief Minister Li is absolutely right! Select a few generals from among the Red Helmet Generals who have loud voices to escort me to the ancestral temple!"
-
Su Ze had already learned of the great victory in advance through the carrier pigeon, and even knew the details of the war before the emperor and his officials in the capital.

Qi Jiguang truly deserves to be called the most outstanding general of his time. Despite having an overwhelming advantage, he still executed perfect tactics.

Qi Jiguang dispatched troops to feign defeat and lure the Wushen tribe into the area controlled by the fortress.

Feigning defeat sounds simple, but it is actually the most difficult tactic.

Ordinary soldiers on the battlefield can only see their comrades on the left and right, and the orders from their superiors; they are unaware of the actual battlefield situation.

One wrong move and a feigned defeat can turn into a real rout.

Only an army like Qi Jiguang's, with its strict military discipline and unconditional trust in its commander, could execute such tactics.

When the Wushen tribe saw the fortress, they looked down on this small fortress. The Wushen leader, Tufa, ordered his men to attack the city.

But when the cannons roared and the Mongols fell in droves, Bald realized he had run into a brick wall.

Even a small fortress could be completely surrounded by ten thousand cavalry from the Wushen tribe, yet they could not break through it no matter what.

At this moment, Qi Jiguang's wagon camp arrived again.

After some hesitation, Bald Man decided to abandon the tough task of attacking the fortress and continue pursuing Qi Jiguang's wagon camp.

After chasing for half a day, they came across another bastion.

After several such tugs of force, the Wushen tribe was now stuck in the middle of the Dongsheng Bastion.

They couldn't catch up with the wagons, and they couldn't destroy the bastions. Just then, Bald received another piece of bad news: the bastions in the rear had begun to harass their logistics.

Unlike agricultural societies that require long supply lines, nomadic peoples can drive livestock to follow their armies into battle, and their herds serve as their supply source.

Of course, the herds should be kept far behind, otherwise they will become supplies for the enemy.

When the Wushen tribe advanced, their rear herds also entered the control area of ​​the bastion. The general stationed at the bastion decisively dispatched the cavalry inside the bastion to attack.

The bald-headed soldier led his troops back to reinforce the fortress, and the soldiers of the bastion returned to the bastion.

After several days of this entanglement, the Wushen tribe was both hungry and exhausted, and the morale of the soldiers was at its lowest point.

In the past, the Mongols would come to plunder, but there was no human habitation around Dongshengwei except for the fort. The army was stuck here and could not advance or retreat, and the herds behind them became the target of the Ming army's plunder.

Calls for withdrawal from within the Wushen tribe were growing louder, and just then, Qi Jiguang led his wagon battalion to attack.

Qi Jiguang did not like to boast about his military achievements, but Su Ze could tell from his words that it was a glorious victory.

Su Ze put down the letter. With the bastion, the new artillery, and the strongest general and army in East Asia, it would be a miracle if they couldn't even defeat the Wushen tribe.

However, this victory was too glorious. Ten thousand Wushen cavalrymen were either killed or surrendered, and Qi Jiguang captured all of the Wushen tribe's pastures. It can be said that from this moment on, the Wushen tribe was already extinct.

Su Ze picked up his pen. This victory was exactly what Su Ze needed. The next step was to completely resolve the Mongolian issue.
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September 22nd.

The victory reports from Wang Chonggu, the Governor-General of Xuanfu and Datong, and Wang Yongji, the Governor of Datong, were also sent to the capital. The Cabinet and the Ministry of War examined the three victory reports and confirmed the results of the great victory at Dongshengwei, which resulted in the complete annihilation of the Wushen tribe!
That morning, the Longqing Emperor rode in his imperial carriage out of the Forbidden City and went to the ancestral temple outside the city to report the victory!

The people of the capital stood on both sides of the imperial road, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

Some elderly people who had experienced the Gengxu Incident even knelt down by the roadside, shouting "Great Martial Arts of a Prosperous Age!"
With great excitement, the Longqing Emperor presented offerings at the ancestral temple and reported the victory to his ancestors.

The Longqing Emperor then announced that once the prisoners of war from the front lines were escorted back, Duke Dingguo Xu Wenbi would present them to the mausoleum of the Shizong Emperor, which could be considered as helping his father avenge the Gengxu Incident.

In this atmosphere, all the major government offices in the capital were discussing how to deal with the Anda tribe.

Many young officials have proposed to conquer the grasslands and completely resolve the problem of border troubles in the north!
There was no way around it; the threat from the northern border was a dark cloud hanging over everyone in the capital. After being frustrated for so long, it was easy to slip from one extreme to another.

In the capital, collections of poems about the frontier sold out. In addition to the Yuefu Xinbao, the Xin Junzi Bao and Xin Yuefu Bao both published articles supporting the northern expedition. The Xin Junzi Bao even used the slogan "plow the court and sweep the cave".

In this atmosphere, Su Ze's memorial was sent to the Office of Transmission.

Commissioner Yang Sizhong dared not delay and brought Su Ze's memorial to the cabinet.

After reading Su Ze's memorial, all four cabinet ministers voted in favor, and the memorial was then sent to the palace.

The title of this memorial is "Memorial Requesting the Conferment of Tribute to Anda".

(End of this chapter)