My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 221 "Memorial Requesting the Repair of the Great Wall and the Training of the Ji-Liao Troops"

Jurchen?
Su Ze frowned. Judging from their attire, those following behind the group should be Jurchens.

The current policy adopted by the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong is mainly to use barbarians to control barbarians. Many Jurchen tribes have been granted titles and imperial edicts and traded with them. It is normal for Tan Lun to bring some Jurchens back to the capital.

However, Su Ze had no liking for the Jurchens and did not agree with this policy of condoning evil.

After watching the spectacle, Su Ze returned to work at the Imperial Household Department.

As the concurrently serving Vice Minister of War, Tan Lun had to pay his respects to his superior, Minister of War Huo Ji, upon returning to the capital to report on his duties.

Huo Ji received Tan Lun in the main hall of the Ministry of War, and Tan Lun then introduced the military officers beside him to Huo Ji.

"Grand Marshal, this is Li Chengliang, the General of Liaoyang. The great victory at Suzihe is all thanks to General Li."

Huo Ji simply nodded slightly, but Li Chengliang performed a deep bow to him, his face full of excitement.

Tan Lun leading him to see Huo Ji was already considered an exception.

In terms of rank, Li Chengliang was merely a general, a military officer. Under the Ming Dynasty's system, a single word from the Minister of War could determine the future and fate of countless generals.

Huo Ji's ability to remember this name was already Li Chengliang's biggest achievement during this trip to the capital. He dared not listen to the conversation between the two high-ranking civil officials and went straight out the door, volunteering to be the guard.

Tan Lun felt somewhat embarrassed. Was the Ministry of War's Hall a place where ordinary people dared to approach without permission? Did it need a general like him to guard it?
Huo Ji also had little interest in a Liaoyang garrison commander. He said to Tan Lun:

“Zili, the current political situation is different from that of the previous dynasty. As long as you work diligently, you will surely have your day.”

Huo Ji and Tan Lun were actually old superiors and subordinates. Tan Lun used to assist Hu Zongxian in fighting against Japanese pirates in the local area. Tan Lun was Hu Zongxian's link to the Ministry of War. At that time, Huo Ji was the Vice Minister of War in charge of logistics.

After Hu Zongxian fell from power, Tan Lun, who was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and belonged to the Qingliu faction, was barely spared from being purged, but was still marginalized and assigned to a post in Sichuan.

Huo Ji's words were actually telling Tan Lun that the current court was different from the previous dynasty when Yan Song was in power. He should not think about currying favors and giving gifts in the capital, but should instead focus on making good political achievements.

Tan Lun immediately understood Huo Ji's meaning and quickly said:
"Grand Marshal, the reason I came to the capital this time, besides to report to His Majesty, is to reorganize the defenses of Ji and Liao."

After saying this, Tan Lun took out a memorial and handed it to Huo Ji.

After reading the memorial, Huo Ji frowned and handed it back to Tan Lun, saying:

"The matter you reported is not something the Ministry of War can decide on its own."

"However, I can give you a suggestion: after you leave the office today, go find Su Zilin."

Tan Lun's comeback was all thanks to Su Ze's "Ping Rong Ce" (Strategy for Pacifying the Barbarians). Su Ze was practically his mentor, and Tan Lun was originally going to pay him a visit.

Moreover, his old friend Xu Wei was also working as a staff member in Su Ze's household.

But Tan Lun didn't expect that Huo Ji would actually send him to Su Ze with the memorial.

No, Lord Huo, aren't you the Minister of War?

Of course, as a seasoned official, Tan Lun did not ask any further questions, but simply silently took back the memorial.

Next, Tan Lun went to the Office of Transmission and submitted a memorial requesting an audience with the Emperor. He then sent a letter to the Cabinet requesting an audience with the Grand Secretary.

Of course, not all high-ranking officials returning to the capital were granted an audience with the emperor and the Grand Secretaries.

Recently, the focus of the Ming Dynasty was on Xuanda. Tan Lun, the governor of Jiliao, did not have much presence after taking office. The major battle was the Jurchen rebellion near Liaoyang, which was driven out by Li Chengliang's troops. However, the result was only a few dozen beheadings, which could not be compared with Qi Jiguang's great victory in Dongshengwei.

After finishing these tasks, it was time to leave the office.

As soon as it got dark, Tan Lun changed into an ordinary scholar's robe and led Li Chengliang to wait in front of Zhang Juzheng's residence.

Although Su Ze recommended Tan Lun in his "Ping Rong Ce" (Strategy for Pacifying the Barbarians), Tan Lun's formal transfer was only approved after Mao Kai, the Minister of Justice, strongly recommended him at a cabinet meeting and Zhang Juzheng agreed to it.

Minister of Justice Mao Kai sided with Zhang Juzheng, so Tan Lun's real patron was Zhang Juzheng. After leaving his post, he personally visited Zhang Juzheng's residence.

"Master Tan, is it appropriate for us to visit Grand Secretary Zhang empty-handed?"

Standing beside Tan Lun, Li Chengliang asked guiltily.

Tan Lun somewhat regretted bringing this rough man to the capital. He had originally come to see his bravery and skill in battle in Liaodong, but he hadn't expected him to be a political idiot.

If you send large and small boxes to Zhang Juzheng's residence, you can see whether Grand Secretary Zhang will impeach you.

Zhang Juzheng still valued Tan Lun highly. Shortly after sending his visiting card, the steward opened the door and welcomed the two of them inside.

Walking through the Zhang residence, the unsophisticated Li Chengliang kept sighing in amazement, causing the passing servants to avoid him, and the steward leading the way to give him a disdainful look.

Tan Lun regretted bringing Li Chengliang along even more. After finally arriving at Zhang Juzheng's study, Tan Lun dared not let Li Chengliang go in and embarrass himself, so he left Li Chengliang to enter the Zhang residence's study alone.

"Greetings, Master Zhang."

Tan Lun passed the imperial examination one year earlier than Zhang Juzheng, but his ranking was low, and he was unable to enter the Hanlin Academy.

After that, Tan Lun rose through the ranks through military service, thus embarking on a "non-mainstream" path for civil officials.

He rose through the ranks due to the anti-Japanese war, but was sidelined by the court because of Hu Zongxian's affair.

Tan Lun understood the terrifying power of authority, so when facing Zhang Juzheng, who was five years younger than him, Tan Lun was extremely polite and dared not offend this Grand Secretary of the court.

However, to Tan Lun's surprise, Zhang Juzheng was very polite. After exchanging pleasantries for a long time, Tan Lun handed his memorial to Zhang Juzheng, seeing that the atmosphere was right.

Under the lamplight, Zhang Juzheng reviewed Tan Lun's memorial. After reading it, he said:

"Have you discussed this matter with the Grand Marshal, Brother Li (Tan Lun)?"

Tan Lun said:

"The Grand Marshal said that such important military and national affairs cannot be decided by the Ministry of War alone."

Zhang Juzheng looked at Tan Lun and said:
"and then?"

Tan Lun paused for a moment, then honestly replied:

"The Grand Marshal asked me to find Su Zilin."

Zhang Juzheng rarely smiled. He returned the memorial to Tan Lun and said:
"Then I'll say the same thing: Brother Zili, go find Su Zilin."

"?"

After leaving Zhang Juzheng's house, Li Chengliang approached and asked:

"Master Tan, where are we going now?"

Tan Lun, too lazy to say more, simply waved his sleeve and said:
"Come with me."
-
When Su Ze received the gatekeeper's notice and saw Tan Lun's visiting card, he looked at Xu Wei with a puzzled expression.

The concept of "referring to a master" is actually a kind of personal dependence relationship between superiors and subordinates in officialdom.

You are considered a recommender only if your superiors recommend you; the important thing is the "recommender," not the recommender.

Therefore, although Su Ze submitted a memorial entitled "Strategy for Pacifying the Barbarians," Tan Lun was a high-ranking official, serving as both Vice Minister of War and Governor-General of Ji and Liao—a truly high-ranking official. How could he possibly recognize Su Ze, a mere fifth-rank official, as his recommender? Xu Wei pondered for a moment and said:
"Master, Tan Zili is visiting urgently today, it must be related to military affairs in Jiliao. He must have something he needs your help with."

Although Su Ze was puzzled as to why Tan Lun wanted to see him, he still led Xu Wei to the door to greet Tan Lun.

"Master Tan, whose residence is this?"

Li Chengliang's trip to the capital was an eye-opening experience. After witnessing the dazzling world of the capital, Li Chengliang developed a deep sense of awe for power.

Tan Lun was the Governor-General of Jiliao, holding absolute power over both military and political affairs in Liaodong.

However, even such high-ranking officials had to be extremely careful and humble in the capital.

When Li Chengliang was in the Ministry of War, he saw many generals and military commanders sitting cautiously in the teahouse in front of the Ministry's gate, eagerly watching the officials coming and going.

He also met with the Minister of War and visited the residences of the three Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

Upon seeing Su Ze's enormous mansion, bestowed by the emperor, Li Chengliang immediately assumed it was another residence belonging to a high-ranking official in the cabinet.

"This is Su Hanlin's residence. Don't speak once you're inside!"

Li Chengliang was now filled with both doubt and envy.

Being an official in the capital is so nice! Even a Hanlin scholar can have such a nice house! I must make sure my son studies hard when I go back this time!
But it is puzzling why a high-ranking official like Tan Lun would personally visit a Hanlin scholar so late at night.
However, Li Chengliang was good at reading people's expressions. He could tell that Tan Lun disliked him, so he didn't dare to ask any more questions and just made a shushing gesture.

Tan Lun regretted bringing Li Chengliang along even more, but now he could only lead him into the gate of the Su residence. As soon as he entered, he saw Su Ze and Xu Wei and immediately went up to greet them.

Su Ze greeted the two with a smile, and with Tan Lun's old friend Xu Wei present, the atmosphere quickly became harmonious.

Only then did Tan Lun remember Li Chengliang, and so he said to Su Ze:

"Su Hanlin, this is Li Chengliang, the General of Liaoyang. I brought him with me to the capital to report on my duties."

Li Chengliang quickly clasped his hands in greeting to Su Ze, but remained silent.

Tan Lun looked at Li Chengliang, only to see him make another shushing gesture, which angered Tan Lun so much that he kicked him. Only then did Li Chengliang speak:
"This humble general, Li Chengliang, pays his respects to Minister Su, Hanlin Scholar Su!"

Xu Wei was a magnanimous person by nature, and when he saw Li Chengliang's comical appearance, he burst out laughing.

Even Su Ze couldn't suppress the urge to smile, which made Tan Lun even angrier. He vowed that when he returned this time, he would make Li Chengliang stay in Liaoyang permanently!

Su Ze welcomed the two to the reception hall. Along the way, Li Chengliang looked around curiously, as if he had never seen the world before.

When the four arrived at the flower hall, a maid served them tea.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Tan Lun took out his memorial and handed it to Su Ze, saying:

"Su Hanlin, both Grand Secretary Zhang and Minister Huo have read this memorial, and they both sent me to see you."

Su Ze took the memorial with a puzzled look. It was a memorial requesting the repair of the Great Wall and the training of troops in Ji and Liao.

Su Ze opened Tan Lun's memorial, which was divided into two parts.

The first part is Tan Lun's request to the court to repair the Great Wall in Ji and Liao.

When Su Ze thought of the Great Wall, he pictured the brick-built Great Wall like the Badaling section from his previous life, but in reality, it was only renovated during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The main materials used in the Great Wall during the pre-Qin period were stone and earth.

Especially the section of the Great Wall in the northwest, which is mainly made of rammed earth, would only be built with stones if there were quarries nearby.

This is mainly due to the development of brick-making technology.

During the Han and Tang dynasties, bricks made by ordinary people were not sturdy, and bricks were a relatively precious building material, mainly used for palaces and mausoleums.

During the Qin and Han dynasties, commoners were prohibited from firing bricks, and brick-coffin tombs in the Western Han dynasty were a privilege reserved for marquises.

Brick tombs from the Eastern Han Dynasty were only distributed to powerful landlords, and at that time, city walls were mostly made of rammed earth.

During the Song and Yuan dynasties, bricks began to become more common, but they were only used for pagodas and pavilions. However, due to the Han and Tang tradition of using bricks and stones for tombs, ordinary people still avoided using bricks to build walls, and at most used bricks to pave the ground.

It wasn't until the Ming Dynasty, when brick-making technology matured, that Zhu Yuanzhang decreed that government offices must be built with bricks, thus breaking the tradition of not using bricks to build walls in residential buildings. After bricks were widely used in residential buildings, brick-making technology further developed.

By the time of the Jialing period, brick-making technology had become fully mature, and most people had replaced their houses with brick and tile structures.

The first half of Tan Lun's memorial requested the court to rebuild the ancient Great Wall in the Jiliao section, adding bricks and stones to the front and back of the original rammed earth wall.

The latter part is Tan Lun's petition to train the troops in Ji and Liao.

In his memorial to the throne, Tan Lun said that after he took over as Governor-General of Jiliao, he found that the troops in Jiliao were scattered and would concentrate when the enemy attacked. The scattered troops were not conducive to defense.

The soldiers of Yan and Zhao have always been arrogant, but strict orders are needed to govern the army. The veterans of Ji and Liao are prone to causing trouble, and their proximity to the capital makes them easy targets for unrest.

Tan Lun proposed that the entire Jiliao region be organized into three battalions, each managed by a general. During the two defense periods each spring and autumn, the troops of the three battalions would be transferred to the vicinity of the border.

If the enemy comes, we will concentrate our forces to defend against them; if the enemy does not come, we will conduct autumn training at the border.

Tan Lun then raised objections to the Ming Dynasty's border policies, arguing that the current approach of using barbarians to control barbarians in Liaodong and Liaoxi was wrong. He pointed out that the Jurchens in Liaodong and the Mongols in Liaoxi frequently interacted, especially the Jurchens who often plundered Han Chinese populations and learned the Ming Dynasty's official system and technology.

Every time they rebelled, the Ming Dynasty would send troops, and they would flee, dragging it out until the Ming army was exhausted and military expenditures were enormous before surrendering.

In order to save expenses, the imperial court always pardoned their rebellions and even rewarded and comforted these Jurchens who had rebelled.

For example, Wang Gao, the Jianzhou Jurchen leader who rebelled near Liaoyang, was defeated by Li Chengliang and fled. Now he has submitted a letter requesting surrender.

Tan Lun dared not make a decision on his own, and brought Wang Gao's letter of surrender to the capital. However, Tan Lun advised the court not to tolerate Wang Gao this time, but to really punish the Jianzhou Jurchens as a warning to others.

Tan Lun still believed that the imperial court should relocate people to populate the border regions regarding Liaodong.

After reading it, Su Ze nodded repeatedly. Tan Lun truly lived up to his reputation as a master of military strategy; the contents of his memorial were all to the point.

Su Ze particularly agreed with his Liaodong policy.

"Master Tan is a man of great talent. His strategies are incisive and hit the nail on the head. He should just submit a memorial directly. What is there to hesitate about?"

Tan Lun glanced at Su Ze before saying:

"Alas, after the Battle of Dongshengwei, Anda paid tribute, and there were many calls in the court to stop the fighting."

"Reconstructing the Jiliao Great Wall was extremely costly. Before Tan, all previous governors of Jiliao were impeached by censors for submitting memorials."

"The same is true for Liaodong. The imperial inspectors and censors in charge of border patrols in the Ji-Liao region all support accepting Wang Gao's letter of surrender and ending the war as soon as possible."

Good heavens, after winning a battle, the Ming Dynasty officials have once again resorted to appeasement.

Su Ze immediately said:

"Rest assured, Lord Tan, you may submit your petition tomorrow, and I, Su, will also submit a petition in response!"

(End of this chapter)