Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 258 The Great General Who Fulfilled the Rebellion Against the Ming Dynasty

On February 8th of the fourth year of the Chongzhen reign, news of Amin's death and Yuan Keli's illness reached the capital almost simultaneously. Liu Zeqing's letter came first, delivered by ordinary postal courier; while the news of Amin's death was sent by urgent military dispatch.

Just three days ago, the 87-year-old veteran minister Wang Xiangqian passed away, living three years longer than originally recorded in history. Wang Xiangqian was the oldest and most senior minister under Zhu Youjian, without exception.

Other officials who served four reigns entered officialdom during the mid-to-late Wanli period, but Old Wang's achievement was a huge leap. He was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the fifth year of the Longqing reign, and the chief examiner that year was Zhang Juzheng! According to the unspoken rules of the Ming Dynasty officialdom, he was considered Zhang Juzheng's protégé. Because he worked so hard, Zhang even wrote a plaque for him.

Wang Xiangqian was of a different generation than the other old men Zhu Youjian was currently employing, but his death saddened Zhu Xieyuan greatly. When Zhu Youjian summoned Wang Xiangqian back from Xuanfu, he was already seriously ill, with edema in both legs, unable to walk, typical symptoms of kidney failure.

Although Zhu Youjian dispatched the Imperial Medical Academy to consult on his case and posted notices to recruit renowned doctors to treat him, he ultimately failed to reverse his condition. However, this time, the notices did catch a very audacious young itinerant doctor.

Based on his experience, he used a type of bamboo that had naturally died and withered, turning completely black, as the main ingredient, combined with several other fresh herbs, and successfully relieved Wang Xiangqian's edema symptoms. Otherwise, the old man might not have even survived the first year of the Chongzhen reign.

During the last three years of Wang Xiangqian's life, Zhu Xieyuan frequently visited him at his residence. Previously, the two men, one guarding the northern frontier and the other the south, had not had much interaction. Zhu Xieyuan's visits were less about visiting and more about seeking advice. After all, no one was more authoritative on the northern border defenses than Wang Xiangqian.

Wang Xiangqian didn't hold back either, answering every question Zhu Xieyuan, a young man in his sixties, and carefully cultivating him. After his death, according to his will, his collection of books and letters were bequeathed to Zhu Xieyuan. It wasn't that he didn't want to leave things to his children and grandchildren; it was simply that his son hadn't outlived him, and his grandson, neglected in his upbringing, was a good-for-nothing who indulged in cockfighting and dog-catching.

After discussing with the cabinet members, Zhu Youjian praised Wang Xiangqian at the court meeting the next day: "He is quick-witted and courageous, skilled in riding and archery, familiar with foreign stories, and has served as governor-general for many years. He is a powerful figure in the nine border regions. He can be described as 'having a deep understanding of the world and outstanding achievements, and living to a ripe old age with a lasting reputation'."

The Ministry of Rites suggested several posthumous titles for the emperor to choose from, and Zhu Youjian ultimately decided to bestow upon him the posthumous title of "Xiangyi" and posthumously confer upon him the title of Grand Tutor.

Zhu Youjian and Wang Xiangqian were not well acquainted. Apart from meeting a few times when he first returned to the capital, Wang Xiangqian's condition worsened, and he was no longer able to attend court. However, Zhu Youjian greatly respected this veteran official who had guarded the borders of the Ming Dynasty for more than thirty years. He not only bestowed upon him high praise and a posthumous title, but also ordered the inner court to fund a grand funeral for him, erect a monument, and write a biography, showing him the utmost honor.

Wang Xiangqian's death instilled a sense of crisis in Zhu Youjian: the old man, though capable, would eventually burn out. Knowing of Yuan Keli's illness, he dared not delay for a moment, and as Liu Zeqing had predicted, he issued an edict recalling Yuan Keli. But the old man, Yuan, had performed his duties as the Liaodong military commissioner so exceptionally well that after his return, Zhu Youjian didn't know who could replace him.

This scene felt somewhat familiar. Although everything seemed reasonable, it was so similar to what Yuan Keli had experienced in Dengzhou and Laizhou, and Sun Chengzong had experienced in Liaodong. Could it be that someone wanted to steal the credit and was secretly sabotaging things? Zhu Youjian summoned Tang Yu, the commander of the Northern Garrison, and ordered him to send someone to Dengzhou and Laizhou to invite the doctor who treated Yuan Keli to have tea.

If it's just a simple misdiagnosis, he'll be rewarded with money and sent back. But if someone is behind it, given Old Yuan's power, Zhu Youjian wouldn't mind having his fill of bloodshed. He hasn't killed anyone in years; everyone thinks he can't even lift a knife anymore! What's with cinnabar and lead oxide? Can you even eat that stuff?! Was it intentional or accidental?

Zhu Youjian had made up his mind that once the old man returned, he would supervise him to drink three large bowls of milk and eat two large carrots every day. Unfortunately, plans don't always go as expected; Yuan Keli refused the emperor's summons, citing the impending war and his inability to leave.

Amin's death was the result of internal strife within the Jurchen people, but it did not plunge them into chaos as the court had predicted. After his death, many people in the Bordered Blue Banner did indeed take up knives, preparing to fight Jirgalang, but they were suppressed by the combined forces of the Plain White, Plain Yellow, Plain Blue, and Plain Red Banners.

Of course, the three brothers Huang Taiji, Daišan, and Mangultai weren't there to do unpaid labor; they used this opportunity to take away half of the Bordered Blue Banner's troops. Jirgalang felt like dying; his heart was bleeding, yet he still had to force a smile in front of these men, doing everything he could to please them. Just as Mangultai had said, he was like a dog.

There's a difference between blood brothers and cousins. Originally, their intention wasn't to cooperate with him, but to completely devour this branch of the family. Huang Taiji had previously courted Jirgalang to cause trouble for Amin; now that Amin was dead, Jirgalang was no longer so important.

Jirgalang wasn't stupid. He knew very well that Huang Taiji was using him, but wasn't he also taking advantage of Huang Taiji's power? He was just very confident that he could replace Amin's position and do it better. He was confident that he could challenge Huang Taiji just like Amin, and that Huang Taiji would be helpless against him. All of this was based on the premise that he had complete control over the Bordered Blue Banner.

However, Amin died unexpectedly. He did not have time to digest the results of the coup, which gave Huang Taiji and others an excuse to take action.

Mao Wenlong's spies also learned of the power shifts within the Jurchens, but it all happened too fast, and by the time the news reached Liaonan, the situation had already been settled.

Amin's four sons, three of whom died, were denied by Jirgalang and Huang Taiji. The remaining son fled to Liaonan with several hundred men, pleading for surrender. But Mao Wenlong was in charge of Liaonan; how could he possibly protect Amin's sons? Mao Wenlong refused their surrender, counting to three, and told them to leave quickly.

"Three!" Mao Wenlong waved his hand, and the Ming army opened fire with guns and cannons, instantly killing more than a dozen Jurchen riders. He then personally led his cavalry into battle, pursuing the Jurchen cavalry for thirty li. Although they didn't wipe them out, they successfully killed Amin's third son, returning triumphantly with over three hundred heads. And it must be said, the Jurchen's queues were particularly easy to pull.

“Strange, why do we feel that the Jurchens have become much weaker? Yongxi, what do you think?!” Mao Wenlong stroked his gray beard and said. Shang Kexi was tying his two braids together. He hung his two heads on the iron hooks of the horse harness, clapped his hands and said, “Father, I also think they are not as good as before.”

Mao Wenlong frowned, somewhat displeased, and said, "What should you call me when we're fighting?"

"General?!"

Mao Wenlong snorted.

"Then, General Commander?!" Shang Kexi changed his approach.

"Fool, your godfather wants you to call him Uncle!" Kong Youde mocked loudly.

"You're so talkative!" Mao Wenlong glared at Kong Youde, pulled on the reins, and led his troops back. His old face was slightly flushed. It was all Man Gui's fault. Spending too much time with this guy had picked up his bad habit of showing off, and now his little scheme had been exposed on the spot.

Three hundred heads is quite a lot; it's enough to report the victory to the court. Mao Wenlong had already prepared his speech in his mind: they had defeated several thousand Jurchen cavalry, killing eight hundred in battle, and were forced to retreat due to the overwhelming strength of the Jurchen reinforcements, bringing back only three hundred heads.

Well, although the Ministry of War will most likely not accept it, and even the heads they bring back will be verified one by one, the battle damage can be faked.

Although they outnumbered the enemy this time, and their well-prepared army fought against a group of terrified and defeated soldiers, resulting in only a dozen or so horsemen killed, they could still report a larger casualty figure. They could then complain about the severe loss of horses and request the court to allocate funds for purchasing more. Perfect!

Unable to contain his emotions, Mao Wenlong shared his thoughts with his large group of adopted sons and grandsons. Mao Chenglu, the eldest of Mao Wenlong's sons and addressed as "Big Brother Mao" by the Jurchens, couldn't help but complain, "Father, your tricks are useless now. The court doesn't believe you anymore. You're already the Earl of Dongjiang, and you've killed thousands of Jurchens. What's the point of deceiving us for military merits?"

"What do you know, you spendthrift! I'm just being thrifty. Besides, am I doing this for myself? Isn't it to help you guys get credit? Your godfather has already reached the top, but you guys still don't have a place to go! After I'm gone, who among you can take my place?!" Mao Wenlong argued, somewhat exasperated.

Mao Chenglu couldn't help but roll his eyes, thinking that his adoptive father was so energetic that unless he was accidentally slashed by a sword, if it came down to a matter of lifespan, who knows who would go first!
Winning a battle is a very pleasant thing, and killing a few beasts naturally carries no psychological burden. On the retreat, the Dongjiang Town cavalry chatted and laughed, some even humming unpleasant tunes. The soldiers of Dongjiang Town were of impeccable revolutionary lineage, almost all of them harboring a deep-seated hatred for the Jurchens. They were naturally enemies of the Jurchens, and the fact that they were able to force this group to rebel made the Ming Dynasty's death well-deserved.

Mao Wenlong adopted such a large group of adopted sons and grandsons not only to train his personal guards, but also because most of them were orphans, without parents, whom he found too pitiful and couldn't help but want to take care of. He certainly had his own ambitions, was unruly and vain, but he also had a tender side. He had gathered and sheltered hundreds of thousands of refugees from Liaodong, saving countless lives, which was already a great deed.

The change of control of the Bordered Blue Banner brought Mao Wenlong a small profit, but the Jurchens did not become discouraged for long. Mao Wenlong noticed signs of large-scale troop and supply mobilization in Liaodong. He was all too familiar with this situation; the Jurchens were going to war again. Moreover, based on the direction of the troop and supply mobilization, he was certain that this time the Jurchens were not going to fight the Mongols. They had forgotten their past wounds and were coming to challenge the Ming Dynasty again. This time, the Jurchens' main attack direction was Liaonan!

In March, Huang Taiji submitted a memorial to the Great Khan Ajige, proclaiming himself the General Who Reigns Over Heaven to Punish the Ming Dynasty. He swore an oath in Shenyang to launch a southern expedition to avenge the Ming court's killing of his father, brothers, nephew, and other relatives!
Huang Taiji, that clever little devil, actually found a loophole in the system. Although he was not the Great Khan, it did not mean that he could not command the Eight Banners in battle. They even pinned the blame for Amin's murder on the Ming Dynasty, and confidently declared that Amin was assassinated by the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This time, the Jurchens mobilized their entire force, with Huang Taiji even bringing along child soldiers. He commanded 130,000 troops, claiming to have 800,000, and marched in a mighty force towards Liaonan.

Huang Taiji thought the Ming navy was powerful, but he knew that even if they squeezed their urine, they wouldn't be able to transport the same number of troops in a short time. This time, he didn't want to seize the land in Liaonan. His goal was to launch a blitzkrieg in Liaonan, to kill as many Ming soldiers as possible and massacre the Han people in Liaonan, until the two sides reached a strategic balance again!

This guy doesn't make a move unless he's absolutely sure of it, but when he does, he's incredibly decisive. You have to understand, they almost lost everything in that battle two years ago, and now they dare to go all in. I wonder how Huang Taiji managed to convince the others this time.

Many people, including Yuan Keli, thought that Huang Taiji had gone mad. Normal people cannot understand the thinking of a madman. Even though they learned of the Jurchens' movements a month in advance, the Ming court was still caught off guard by Huang Taiji. Everyone knew that a war was going to happen, but they did not expect that it would be a decisive battle!
Normally, when people fight, they first use a small number of troops to probe each other slowly, and then gradually consider reinforcing their forces. Why did you start with such a powerful move?

Yuan Keli wasn't making excuses; he genuinely couldn't leave when faced with an attack from over 100,000 Jurchen troops!

(End of this chapter)