The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 123 The Northern Expedition! The Northern Expedition!
The winding procession of the capital relocation team moved forward across the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Di rode his steed, whip in hand, gazing proudly at the majestic city.

Wealth and honor do not return home, just like walking in brocade at night!
Zhu Di, having returned to his hometown twice, truly reached the pinnacle of his life.

The dry, sandy wind from the Mongolian Plateau brushed against his face. Unlike the damp, gentle wind of Nanjing, it carried a slight stinging sensation, yet it almost brought tears to Zhu Di's eyes.

This is what he has always dreamed of.

Looking at the new capital of the Ming Dynasty, Li Xianmu saw three circles in his mind. These were circles that Li Qi had once drawn for him, centered on Beijing, where the three civilizations of grassland, fishing and hunting, and agriculture converged.

He once asked his father why it was so important to move the capital to Beijing.

He will always remember his father’s words: “Beijing is the only capital that can make the Ming Dynasty forever great.”

Because in this last classical era, only Beijing could simultaneously control the grasslands, the Central Plains, and Liaodong, making it the undisputed center of a land-based empire!

While controlling these three points, Beijing is also located by the sea, with Tianjin Wei just a hundred miles away. The fleet can set sail from Tianjin Wei, radiating to Korea and Japan, and then heading south to control Jiangnan and Southeast Asia.

This is the chosen place to be a capital!
Xi'an and Luoyang are not by the sea, while Nanjing cannot control the grasslands and Liaodong.

There's only one problem with moving the capital to Beijing: you have to keep winning!

Win the war against the Mongols in the north, hold fast to your position before the accumulation of civilization creates a generational gap, and before firearms replace cold weapons!

Historically, the Ming Dynasty failed to hold onto its territory, and the backward, slave-owning Manchu Qing Dynasty seized power. But in this era, with the Li family still alive, the Ming Dynasty will never repeat its mistakes!

Li Xianmu also raised his whip; his father had made his mark in Nanjing, while his own achievements lay in this new capital.

Listen to the dragon's roar!

……

The controversy over moving the capital quickly came to an end due to the Tatars' ambition to unify the steppes.

When the sounds of whips and swords from the Golden Family echoed across the Mongolian steppes, the Ming Dynasty court was already utterly silent.

Europeans have never forgotten the calamities brought by the Mongols, and the people of the Central Plains can never forget them, especially now that it is the Ming Dynasty. The tragedy of the sinking of the Central Plains must never be repeated.

"The supreme heavens have bestowed the Mandate of Heaven upon the Ming Dynasty. The descendants of the Zhu family will take on the responsibility of revitalizing the Han people. This is the oath made by Emperor Taizu Gaozu."

Now the grasslands have dared to plot to usurp the Mandate of Heaven! I cannot tolerate this! The northern expedition is of utmost urgency!

In the magnificent palace, the majestic and solemn voice of the Ming Emperor resounded throughout the heavens.

With all the meritorious officials who fought against the rebellion bowing down, a northern expedition was inevitable. The only question was: who should be sent?
Zhu Di glanced around and frowned slightly. Zhang Yu was dead, Zhu Neng was dead; two of his men, capable of being commanders, had passed away.

The King of Han would naturally not agree.

Are the remaining individuals, such as Qiu Fu, the Duke of Qi, capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility?

Now is no longer the time of founding the nation. Back then, there was Chang Yuchun, Duke Xu Da of Wei, Duke Li Wenzhong of Cao, and even Lan Yu was capable of being a commander.

"Zhang Fu..."

Only this one name appeared in Zhu Di's mind, and then he quickly erased it. Jiaozhi was not necessarily peaceful, and Zhang Fu had to keep an eye on the south.

"The Duke of Qi..."

Zhu Di was about to choose Qiu Fu, but soon a conversation came to mind. This conversation took place five years earlier, shortly after he entered Nanjing, when he talked with Li Qi about moving the capital.

Both of them knew perfectly well that the Mongols had always been the greatest threat to the Ming Dynasty, and war was inevitable in the future. So they took stock of the military generals of the time and considered who could shoulder this heavy responsibility.

At that time, Li Qi clearly pointed out two people: "Zhu Neng and Zhang Fu."

Zhu Neng died on the way to Ping'an South, and Zhang Fu did not disappoint him, showing the demeanor of a great general.

"What about Qiu Fu, the Duke of Qi? During the Jingnan Campaign, he fought in countless battles and repeatedly served as the vanguard, helping me overcome difficulties. He ranks first among the meritorious officials of the Jingnan Campaign."

"A commander is good at planning, a general is good at fighting. A vanguard is a vanguard, daring to fight and charge, like a knife, but the commander is the one who holds the knife."

Zhu Di had to admit that Li Qi was absolutely right. Qiu Fu was indeed not a steady person; he was just a simpleton. Besides, Li Qi had no grudge against Qiu Fu and didn't even know him. There was no need for Li Qi to speak ill of him. Since that's what he said, then it really wouldn't work.

"Alas, how could the vast Ming Dynasty be so devoid of people?"

"Your Majesty is probably itching to go there yourself. You prefer the time spent on the battlefield to being an emperor in the palace."

Zhu Di was taken aback.

The memories abruptly end here.

"I will personally lead the army!"

Zhu Di stood up in the Golden Palace, and everyone looked up at him. Under the palace's radiant light, the emperor's face was filled with a domineering and arrogant air.

At that moment, everyone clearly felt the warlike spirit surging in the chest of this emperor on horseback.

The gentle charm of Jiangnan, the fine rain and spring breeze—those alluring landscapes that can erode one's will—must not allow this hero a moment's respite.

He would be a good emperor, but he would be an even better general.

His destiny lies only in the battlefield and in bloodshed!
"Victory will be yours! Your Majesty the Supreme Emperor of the Ming Dynasty!"

The courtiers cheered loudly.

……

The conscription order, as resounding as mountains and seas, spread from Beiping to all the garrisons north of the Yellow River.

When the emperor personally leads an expedition, in addition to the three most elite battalions in the capital, countless laborers and soldiers are needed. The military household system established by the Ming Dynasty has absolutely no problem in terms of mobilization. A vast army of people gathers at the assembly point designated by the court.

Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi was appointed regent.

Before leaving the capital, Li Xianmu took the opportunity of going to the Eastern Palace to give a lecture to the Crown Prince to visit the Eastern Palace.

He repeated in detail what he had said to Yang Shiqi before, explaining to Zhu Gaochi almost step by step all the possible situations.

Zhu Gaochi broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this.

"It could be so dangerous."

Li Xianmu sighed and said, "Your Highness, if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. What is this? At least as long as Your Highness abides by the rules, the Prince of Han's chances will not be great. When Li Jiancheng faced Emperor Taizong of Tang, that was true despair."

Although Li Xianmu's example was strange, the principle was indeed the same.

Li Jiancheng was truly desperate when facing Li Shimin, and his younger brother's chances were indeed slim compared to him.

“Uncle helped me ascend to the throne back then, and now you, Xianmu, are planning everything for me. I am where I am today entirely because of the efforts of you two. If one day I am granted the throne, I will repay the kindness I have shown you today.”

Zhu Gaochi was deeply moved. Li Xianmu, however, felt a slight throbbing in the veins on his forehead as he listened to these words.

Although he knew Zhu Gaochi was sincere, these words were still terrifying.

"Your Highness is so complimentary."

"Your Highness is the eldest son of the legitimate wife, benevolent and capable, and praised by both the court and the public. He is the only choice to be the crown prince. It is an honor for the Li family that my father and I can do our part for His Highness. Please do not say such words of gratitude in the future, as it is too much for us."

Zhu Gaochi was even more moved. What a fine minister! He clearly played a crucial role in determining the succession, yet he was not arrogant despite his achievements, and even comforted him instead.

"If I were to ascend to the throne in the future, I would surely restore the glory of the Li family!"

Zhu Gaochi spoke very solemnly this time. This was a solemn political promise: the restoration of the Li family's glory. What glory it was, naturally, was the Li family's title!

Li Xianmu also became solemn, "Although I am ashamed and do not deserve such an honor, I really dare not refuse."

"I understand."

Zhu Gaochi patted Li Xianmu's hand, "No one can refuse to do something to honor their ancestors."

……

While the capital was actively preparing for war, a major event occurred.

The fleet that had sailed to the Western Ocean returned to Liujiagang in Jiangnan.

Liujiagang in Jiangnan was the number one port in the world during the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Countless ships carrying grain and sea transport gathered here. Legend has it that Shen Wansan was from Liujiagang.

Historically, Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Ocean all began and ended at Liujiagang.

Upon returning from their long voyage, Zheng He and his entourage found themselves in the familiar city of Beiping, and for a moment, they felt somewhat disoriented.

However, he still hurriedly led the foreign delegations to Beijing to pay homage to the emperor, knowing that the emperor was about to launch a northern expedition and that if he did not go to pay homage, he would never see him again.

At this time, Zheng He was unaware that the cause he was willing to dedicate his life to was about to be abandoned.

At this moment, a momentous event is taking place in the palace.

All the ministers of the Wenyuan Pavilion knelt on the ground, and everyone's eyes were drawn to Li Xianmu, who was kneeling at the front.

Everyone had mixed feelings; they had considered who might be in trouble, but no one had expected Li Xianmu to be the one to have problems.

"Stop Western affairs?"

Zhu Di's expression held a calm before the storm.

"It is Your Majesty. Your subject hereby requests that the Western affairs be suspended."

Zhu Di said in a deep voice, "Xianmu, do you know that if you weren't my nephew, I would kick you out of the palace right now and make you kneel for a whole day?"

Voyages to the Western Ocean!
Do you know what the voyages to the West meant?

"Your Majesty knows that foreign vassal states are thousands of miles away. Without the voyages to the Western Ocean, they cannot come to the capital to pay tribute, and the prestige of our Great Ming Dynasty cannot spread far and wide."

"You know, you know, yet you still dare to say we should stop our voyages to the West! I never expected to hear such words from your mouth. You should know that your father was very supportive of my voyages to the West!"

Zhu Di's voice was already tinged with deep doubt. Li Xianmu was not a pedantic scholar, so why did he submit a memorial to stop the Western expeditions when he knew all about these things?

Moreover, the timing of this incident—right when the Western fleet had just returned—clearly indicated that they didn't want a repeat of it.

Li Xianmu kowtowed deeply and said:

"At the height of the Tang Dynasty, the borders were thousands of miles away, reaching the North Sea in the north and the Pamir Mountains in the west. This was a territory that the Ming Dynasty had never even touched. What use was it then?"
Anxi is usually a vast border region, but today the border defense is located in Fengxiang.

What is meant by frontier, and what is meant by vassal state?

Korea, the former Annam, Tibet, the Oirat Shunyi King, and Japan—these were the vassal states!
They are on the frontiers of the Ming Dynasty, posing a challenge to the Ming's existence and even invading our territory. These vassal states are valuable because incorporating them into our ruling system can save us from war.

But what benefit do those countries thousands of miles away bring to the nation?
If one day, the territory of my Great Ming becomes like that of Mongolia in the past, stretching for 30,000 miles from east to west, and Mongolia is now a vassal state, with only treasure ships arriving, we cannot control the succession of its throne, cannot conscript its people into the army, cannot extract national assets for taxation, and have no control over its politics, military, or economy. Today it is a vassal, tomorrow it will rebel, what use is it?

With 30,000 naval personnel and hundreds of treasure ships, the annual expenditure is enormous. Is it all just for appearances?
The fact that over thirty countries came to pay tribute during the first voyage to the Western Ocean was more than enough!

Today, Your Majesty has the ambition to rule the world and is determined to achieve great things and become a great ruler of a prosperous era. But Your Majesty is a ruler of extraordinary talent. Will the rulers a hundred years from now be as great as you are today?

If a way out cannot be found for the Western fleet, it will only be a temporary glory, and eventually it will fade into obscurity. Your Majesty, I am not advising on the matter of voyages to the West, but rather on a long-term plan. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider.”

Not only Zhu Di, but everyone else understood as well. Li Xianmu didn't really want to stop the voyages to the Western Ocean, but rather hoped that the voyages to the Western Ocean wouldn't continue as they were now.

There's absolutely no benefit to it.

The nation's strength is being wasted on this.

If things continue like this, how can the voyages to the West possibly continue?
Zhu Di's expression softened completely. "Get up. What else can I do to you?"

Li Xianmu rose from the ground as instructed, and the other cabinet ministers also rose, their hearts filled with fear.

Zhu Di pondered for a moment and said, "What you said makes some sense. The country is currently compiling history, launching a northern expedition, and stabilizing Jiaozhi, which is quite costly."

After Zheng He returns, we will temporarily halt his voyages to the Western Ocean and discuss the matter again after I return from my northern expedition.

But I am determined to conquer the West!

Zhu Di still expressed his firm determination to go on the voyage to the West, and Li Xianmu didn't say anything more. As long as this was a good start, there would be an opportunity to persuade him.

Once Zhu Di saw the country's more urgent military needs, could he remain indifferent and insist on sending the fleet thousands of miles away for nothing?
……

Zhu Di began reorganizing the army as soon as he returned to Beijing.

This wait lasted until the beginning of the seventh year of the Yongle reign!

The nomads on the grasslands had just endured the harsh winter; the grass and water had withered, the cattle and sheep were exhausted, and the warhorses were emaciated—this was their weakest time.

Emperor Wu of Han always chose springtime for his campaigns against the Xiongnu.

Zhu Di had been vying with the Mongols for so many years, so naturally he was aware of this.

Amidst the roar of ten thousand horses and the resounding bugle calls, Zhu Di led his army away from Beijing.

Banners are flying!

Heading north!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the thirteenth year of the Hongwu reign, the twenty-year-old Zhu Di set foot in Beiping as the Prince of Yan. In the sixth year of the Yongle reign, Zhu Di returned to Beiping, which he had longed for, as the emperor. From that day on, Beiping became Beijing, and the name "Jing" was given to Beiping by him.

In the seventh year of the Yongle reign, Zhu Di, who had reigned as a peaceful emperor for seven years, once again mounted his warhorse, donned his armor, and led his vast army into the grasslands for the sake of his great empire. The endless yellow sand, the biting winter wind, the gently flowing Onon River, the battlefields of clashing swords and galloping horses, and the fleeing Mongols—it all seemed to have returned to the past, a scene of intoxicating beauty. —From *These Things About the Ming Dynasty*

(End of this chapter)