Di Ming

Chapter 211 Wenyuan Pavilion's Response

Zhu Yin will be leaving Beijing in two days.

Although the emperor was too lazy to summon him, the cabinet ministers did not forget to summon Zhu Yin.

The highest military organ of the Ming Dynasty was actually the civil service cabinet. The practice of appointing civil officials through the imperial examination system to control military power was the politically correct stance after the Tumu Crisis.

Appointing generals, deploying troops, auditing funds and provisions, preparing military equipment... even marching routes and strategic policies were all planned and decided by the ministers in the court.

However, the frontline commanders have extremely limited room for maneuver, and are left with only specific tasks such as training troops, tactical command, leading troops into battle, and supervising the battle.

As the military supervisor and governor, Zhu Yin represented the civil officials in the campaign and was the true commander-in-chief in suppressing the rebellion. Although Qi Jiguang was nominally the general in charge, he was actually under Zhu Yin's strategic control.

Therefore, the cabinet had to summon Zhu Yin to give him personal instructions, so that he could implement the strategic policies formulated by the court.

Does it even matter if we ask General Qi Jiguang for his opinion? Military men just need to obediently carry out the court's military strategy.

As for whether the Grand Secretaries and Ministers had fought in battles, knew the actual terrain on the front lines, or knew how to defeat the enemy... they certainly did.

Because these things are all in these books, a scholar can know everything under heaven without leaving home; there's nothing that gentlemen don't know. If one can thoroughly read the classics, then military strategy and tactics are naturally a given.

What if we defeat them?

That was definitely not a strategic mistake; it was more likely due to the general's incompetence, cowardice, embezzlement of military funds, disobedience to military orders, and unruliness.

Otherwise, there is no reason to fail.

This is the tragedy of the military men of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yin was just a civil official who had only been in office for a few years. He obtained his official position by cheating through a few essays written in the eight-legged essay style. His official rank was only that of a fourth-grade vice censor-in-chief, and he had no experience in leading troops into battle.

Qi Jiguang, however, was a first-rank Left Commander-in-Chief, who had fought in over a hundred battles, large and small, for decades and was a renowned general of his time.

However, this renowned general of the time was subject to Zhu Yin's control.

Isn't that tragic?
Of course, Zhu Yin's trip to the cabinet was not only to receive strategic guidance from the cabinet elders, but also to retrieve the proclamation.

According to the system, this kind of proclamation for war is also a type of cabinet document, which must be reviewed and signed by the cabinet.

Because entering the cabinet was a formal occasion, Zhu Yin wore official robes.

His official robes, befitting a fourth-rank civil official, featured small floral patterns embroidered on the chest, and he wore a turban with outstretched legs. A jade belt at his waist carried an entry token for entering the palace, and he wore gold-embroidered and colorful pink-soled court boots.

Compared to the red everyday clothes with official hats and badges, the official uniform was much more imposing.

Zhu Yin entered the palace through the left side gate of the Meridian Gate, crossed the Golden Water Bridge, entered the Huiji Gate through the east wall, and arrived at the Wenyuan Pavilion south of the Wenhua Hall.

The so-called government was located in this famous Wenyuan Pavilion. The central hub for the operation of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty was situated here.

Zhu Yin was already very familiar with this place. The Wenyuan Pavilion was divided into three parts: the Western Imperial Edict Office, the Inner Cabinet Office, and the Eastern Imperial Edict Office, all of which were subordinate to the Inner Cabinet.

The so-called "entering the cabinet" actually meant "serving in the Wenyuan Pavilion." Without this title, even if you were a graduate of the Three Halls, Two Pavilions, or Two Workshops, you wouldn't be a minister.

Not only cabinet ministers worked here, but also secretaries of the Imperial Secretariat and eunuchs on duty.

Zhu Yin arrived at the Grand Secretariat and, after having his credentials verified at the entrance, entered. The eunuch on duty immediately announced:
"Gentlemen, Zhu Yin, Imperial Commissioner, Governor of Ningxia, Military Advisor, and Vice Censor-in-Chief, has come to see me."

Wang Xijue's deep voice rang out: "Come in."

Zhu Yin immediately stepped inside, standing facing east, and saw four dignified cabinet ministers sitting in the hall, their official hats and robes gleaming.

The chief minister was Wang Xijue, the second chief minister was Zhao Zhigao, and the other chief ministers were Zhang Wei and Shen Yiguan.

Needless to say, Master Shen was also familiar with the other three. Zhu Yin had served as a Hanlin scholar for three years, so he was naturally quite familiar with them as well.

As cabinet ministers, they were usually granted the privilege of wearing python robes or bullfighting robes, and were allowed to use these robes for official business. Therefore, their official attire was quite varied.

Grand Secretary Wang Xijue wore a python robe and a Liang crown.

The second-ranking official, Zhao Zhigao, was dressed in official robes. He wore a turban with his feet spread out, and on his chest was a small, single-flower embroidered pattern, the mark of a second-rank civil official.

Teacher Shen, however, was dressed in ordinary clothes, with a black gauze hat on his head and a pheasant badge on his chest, befitting a second-rank civil official.

Zhang Wei was wearing a bullfighting robe bestowed by the emperor, which was considered auspicious attire, but he was also wearing a turban with spread-leg tassels, which were used in official attire.

Zhu Yin knelt down unhurriedly and reported in a clear voice: "This humble official, Zhu Yin, Governor of Ningxia, has been ordered to pay my respects to the four gentlemen."

According to regulations, officials of the fourth rank were not required to kneel before cabinet ministers; they only needed to bow twice.

But this is no longer the early Ming Dynasty. The Grand Secretariat is highly respected. When civil officials below the third rank come to the Grand Secretariat to see the Grand Secretaries, it is always on official business, and they must kneel down to report.

As for military officers, even those of the first rank had to kneel.

Zhu Yin simply accepted this as a gesture of respect to his teacher, Shen Yiguan.

The four Grand Secretaries were all seated at their desks, and each had a different expression when they saw Zhu Yin enter.

Wang Xijue's gaze was indifferent, his expression cold and stern. He looked at Zhu Yin with a deep scrutiny in his eyes, but did not immediately ask Zhu Yin to rise and be exempt from the formalities. Instead, he remained seated and accepted the greetings.

Shen Yiguan looked at his students with great satisfaction, but his expression remained calm and businesslike.

Zhao Zhigao and Zhang Wei returned the greeting with clasped hands and smiled kindly, saying, "No need to kneel, stand up and answer."

"Thank you, Grand Secretary." Zhu Yin didn't care what Wang Xijue thought, and simply stood up.

According to the current rules, he should kneel while reporting and responding, and only stand up after the official matter has been explained.

Zhu Yin stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Because of the rebellion in Ningxia, I have been ordered to leave the capital. The Imperial Commissioner, the Governor of Ningxia, is to assist in military affairs and will be leaving the capital early tomorrow morning. What is the Grand Secretariat's decree? I have come here on orders to inquire."

This may seem like a formality, but it's not. They've genuinely come to receive instructions.

If he fails to handle the situation properly, and the cabinet deems him incapable of governing Ningxia, then it has the right to reject the emperor's appointment of him, refuse to grant him the official flag and insignia, and request that someone else be appointed as governor.

As Zhu Yin prepared to respond, an eunuch from the Inner Secretariat immediately stepped forward and recorded the questions asked of the cabinet ministers and Zhu Yin.

Wang Xijue remained silent, but looked down at the map on the table, deep in thought.

Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Zhao Zhigao asked, "Have you gone to the Ministry of War to obtain the map of the Northwest's terrain and the secret military maps?"

Zhu Yin replied earnestly, "Reporting to Grand Secretary Zhao, I have already received it."

Zhao Zhigao then asked, "Have you examined it carefully? What have you gained from it?"

Zhu Yin solemnly replied, "I have read it. I have memorized the geography of the Northwest, the distribution of troops, the beacon towers and castles, the post stations and roads, the granaries and armories, the pastures and pastures, and so on. I dare not neglect matters of national importance."

Zhao Zhigao nodded and stroked his beard, saying, "Very good, very good."

Zhang Wei also symbolically began to ask questions, but his questions were a bit more profound.

"Zhu Yin, north of Ningxia lies the Hetao region. Do you know the location of the Hetao region?"

Zhu Yin said without hesitation:
"In response to Minister Zhang, the Hetao region is located east of the Helan Mountains, south of the Yin Mountains, west of the Lüliang Mountains, and north of the Great Wall. It is now occupied by the Ordos Mongols and Tatars. The Hetao grassland and the Ningxia grassland are collectively known as the Jiangnan region beyond the Great Wall."

Zhang Di nodded and said, "Good."

This question is actually quite simple, and Zhang Wei clearly didn't mean to make things difficult for him.

As is customary, Zhu Yin should have changed the subject at this point.

But Wang Xijue suddenly raised his head, his brows furrowing even deeper, and asked in a low voice:
"Zhu Yin, since you have seen the map, you know that Ningxia is an important town throughout history. Can you tell me what route Temujin took when the Mongols destroyed the Western Xia through the Helan Mountains?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yiguan frowned immediately.

Making things difficult for his disciple. It's absolutely intentional.

Such questions are too detailed; few civil officials would know the answers. Could Zhihu possibly answer them? After all, he's only fifteen. Furthermore, the Ministry of War's maps don't even show the route Temujin took when he conquered Western Xia.
Shen Yiguan coughed once and slowly took a sip of tea.
Pi Li Yangqiu said:
"Your Excellency overestimates him. Most of those in the court who claim to know about military affairs are unaware of this matter. Your Excellency, please rest assured. The current Tartars cannot produce Temujin, nor can they invade Ningxia. Our Great Ming is not Western Xia. Even tens of thousands of rebels cannot overthrow the dynasty."

With a few light words, he steered the conversation away from the topic, not only rescuing his beloved disciple Zhu Yin from an awkward situation, but also subtly satirizing Wang Xijue for making a mountain out of a molehill and lacking magnanimity.

Shen Yiguan was actually against Zhu Yin going to Ningxia. But since Zhu Yin wanted to go, he could only support him.

To everyone's surprise, Zhu Yin said, "Reporting to the Prime Minister, I remember that when Temujin campaigned against the Western Xia, he first captured Wulahai City, then the Keyimen Valley in the middle of the Helan Mountains, then Lingzhou and Heishui City, and then Zhongxing Prefecture."

The three Grand Secretaries, including Shen Yiguan, were somewhat surprised. They were not quite sure about these questions, yet Zhu Yin answered them fluently.

Immediately, they were filled with hope for Zhu Yin's trip.

Wang Xijue was also quite surprised. He had intended to deliberately make things difficult for Zhu Yin, but little did he know that Zhu Yin knew.

He gave Zhu Yin a deep look and slowly said, "Very good. You answered correctly. Then do you know how many troops are in Ningxia Town?"

Zhu Yin replied, "The number of soldiers is 71,000 and the number of horses is 22,000. Now most of them have been taken over by the rebels."

Although Zhu Yin answered in this way, he knew that Ningxia Town during the Wanli period did not have that many soldiers.

Wang Xijue then asked, "When you went to Ningxia, what were your plans for quelling the rebellion?"

"Do you know that the court originally intended to appoint Wei Xuezeng, the governor of Shaanxi, as governor to quell the rebellion in Ningxia? If you have no strategy, then there is no need for you to go. Although you have achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations, you may not necessarily be knowledgeable about military affairs."

Zhu Yin confidently replied: "First issue a proclamation, then question the ringleaders, and send troops from Guyuan out of the Great Wall to cut off the rebels' southward advance. Send troops from Yansui to guard the Yellow River and block the rebels' eastward advance. Send troops from Gansu to Zhenfanwei, together with Liangzhouwei, to cut off the rebels' westward escape route."

"After resting in Datong, Qi Shaobao and I led the main force. We did not cross the Lüliang Mountains or the Yellow River, but instead went south of the Yin Mountains to cut off the rebels' contact with the Mongol tribes and prevent them from escaping into Mongolia."

"Although traversing Yinshan is risky, it is a quick and decisive strategy. In recent years, Qi Shaobao has led his troops out of the Great Wall several times to intimidate the Mongol tribes, and the results have been seen. This time, we can gamble that the Mongol tribes will remain inactive. In this way, the rebels will be cut off from external support and be surrounded on all sides, making it easy to defeat them."

Looking back on the Ningxia campaign, which lasted eight months and cost nearly three million taels of silver, Zhu Yin felt that the Ming army had made many mistakes.

The actual number of rebels was less than 20,000. Although the main force consisted of the Mongol soldiers of Bo Bai and his son, who were fierce and good at fighting, there were only 3,000 Mongol soldiers.

The Ming army mobilized 80,000 elite troops, a force five times larger than the enemy, yet they fought for more than half a year and almost allowed the rebels to escape to the border. Although the Ming army won, the cost was very high.

The Ningxia campaign failed to achieve a swift victory, which also impacted the Imjin War. Due to insufficient preparation for the Imjin War caused by the distraction of the western front, it ultimately resulted in a Pyrrhic victory.

If the fighting goes well, the war can be ended in four months at most, saving at least a million taels of silver and giving us more time to prepare for the Imjin War.

As Zhu Yin spoke, Wang Xijue looked at the map with a complicated expression.

After a long pause, Wang Xijue nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes.

"it is good."

"You already have a plan."

Wang Xijue stood up. “But mere theoretical talk is not enough. We must also be adaptable and decisive in command. Zhu Yin, I have only one request. The rebellion must be quelled within six months, and the cost must not exceed two million taels of silver. You know His Majesty’s meaning: quell the rebellion as quickly as possible and spend as little silver as possible.”

"If you can do that, I can grant any reasonable request you make."

Zhu Yin cupped his hands and said, "This humble official will do his utmost. Although the rebels are bound to be defeated, I would not dare to go to Ningxia to supervise the army if I were not prepared to sacrifice myself."

Wang Xijue snorted coldly and cursed him under his breath as a slippery fellow.

Are you prepared to sacrifice yourself for your country? I don't believe it!

But Zhu Yin's answer was watertight and slippery, leaving him helpless.

"Go back and prepare to leave the capital." Wang Xijue sat down. "The official seal, flags, and proclamation will arrive soon. Remember your words, I await your good news. If you neglect matters of national importance, even if you don't die, you will likely not escape the law, and you will not be able to get past me. You'd better take care of yourself."

Zhu Yin replied without changing his expression, "I will keep your great instructions in mind."

Then he cupped his hands and said, "This humble official will now take his leave."

Shen Yiguan said meaningfully, "Go, do a good job. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue will cooperate fully."

Zhao Zhigao said, "Among the generals you recommended for selection by the Ministry of War, there is Qin Liangyu, the wife of the chieftain of Shizhu. Recommending a woman as a general is like child's play. However, since it is a detachment, and she is a chieftain, and you said that the woman has the ability to be a heroine, then I will approve your recommendation."

In fact, Zhu Yin also recommended Xiong Tingbi, but this didn't attract the attention of Zhao Zhigao and others. Qin Liangyu was a woman; it was difficult for her to go unnoticed.

Fortunately, because of the precedent of the Tusi woman, Lady Wa, resisting the Japanese pirates, the court was able to trust and appoint female Tusi generals.

Zhang Wei also offered a few words of encouragement, saying that the Ministry of Revenue would cooperate fully and that Zhu Yin should not worry about money and grain.

.........

The first day of the third month in the twentieth year of the Wanli reign.

Zhu Yin, the Imperial Commissioner and Military Advisor to Ningxia, and Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, left the capital carrying the Imperial Commissioner's seal and the flag of the Emperor's decree.

There was no imperial decree to send them off.

However, many officials still spontaneously went out of the city to see Zhu Yin off to the west.

Among the people seeing them off were, of course, the Ning sisters.

Even after Zhu Yin's figure disappeared from sight, the Ning sisters remained standing in the same spot, gazing into the distance.

Zhu Yin was very low-key, with only a hundred or so followers when he left Beijing. But by the time he reached the Western Hills, he had several hundred followers.

Among them, more than 300 of Zhu's personal guards were elite soldiers who had undergone rigorous training for several years, and they were all extremely loyal.

Accompanying Zhu Yin on his expedition were Xiao Hei and Fei Hu.

Xiao Hei, dressed in a meticulously crafted dog armor that protected its head and vital organs, sat in Zhu Yin's carriage.

This dog armor cost more than the armor of a high-ranking general; it was custom-made by craftsmen on Daishan Island for Zhu Yin's beloved dog.

When Zhu Yin got tired, he would ride in a carriage, and after resting for a while, he would ride a horse. The caravan of several hundred people, each with two horses, covered 150 li on the first day.

He would not go to Jizhou to meet up with Qi Jiguang, because Qi Jiguang had already led his army westward several days earlier.

The two will meet in Datong.

To expedite the march, Qi Jiguang only brought two thousand newly trained personal guards, leaving the main army of Jizhou behind.

Jizhou, which guards the capital region, is very important, but it is the only military town among the nine border regions that does not have a real garrison.

The troops in Jizhou were not local guards, but rather recruited soldiers and troops drawn from various places for autumn training exercises; they were mostly visiting troops. Because it was too close to Beijing and had no actual garrison, the commander-in-chief of Jizhou did not wear a general's seal.

However, this time when Qi Jiguang went to suppress the rebellion, the court ordered him to wear the seal of General Zhenxi and to draw troops from the four towns of Ningxia, Yansui, Gansu, Guyuan and Datong to join the suppression. He also controlled the guest troops from other places.

According to custom, the General Commander of Ningxia was to wear the seal of the General Who Conquers the West. Now that the General Commander of Ningxia, Zhang Weizhong, had been killed by the rebels and the seal of the General Who Conquers the West had fallen into their hands, the imperial court simply appointed Qi Jiguang to wear the seal of the General Who Conquers the West.

……

It's already the end of March, almost a month since Zhu Yin left Beijing.

Each time a rebellion was quelled, although the imperial court would mainly dispatch garrison troops from nearby areas, it would still need to draw some generals and troops from across the country to participate in the joint suppression.

Not long after Qi Jiguang's departure, Li Chengliang's sons, Li Rusong and Li Rubai, led 5,000 cavalrymen, each with two horses, westward under the imperial order.

Surprisingly, one of the troops participating in this joint suppression was from Southern Zhili, led by Xiong Tingbi, who had been promoted to the rank of garrison commander!

Meanwhile, in Sichuan, a nineteen-year-old female general led three thousand soldiers of the Shizhu chieftain, marching north under the cover of night!

(End of this chapter)