Di Ming

Chapter 349 "No matter how bad the situation is, the capital must not be moved!"

When the imperial edict was issued, Li Rusong had not yet arrived in Beijing and was expected to take several more days. Therefore, Zhu Yin did not leave the capital immediately, but planned to wait until Li Rusong arrived before departing together.

He has a few things to do in the next few days.

After receiving the imperial edict at the Meridian Gate, Zhu Yin and Qi Jiguang went together to the Grand Secretariat to respond to the imperial edict. Zhu Yin was summoned first to the Wenyuan Pavilion, while Qi Jiguang waited in the corridor.

Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion, several senior officials sat together in round-backed chairs, with clerks at each of the several desks nearby, recording information.

Behind the desk sat several eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial, which was quite unusual.

It turned out that they were sent by Zhang Jing to "observe the government." In reality, this was the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs supervising the cabinet.

Although Zhu Yin was now the Marquis of Jiangning, the country was no longer at the beginning of its rule. Upon entering the cabinet, he hurried forward, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply, saying:

"I, Zhu Yin, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, concurrently the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Imperial Commissioner Governor-General of Jiliao and Commissioner for the Pacification of Korea, greet you, Your Excellencies."

The senior officials also returned the greeting with clasped hands, but remained seated.

Wang Xijue, seated in the center, looked at Zhu Yin with an extremely complex expression. He sighed almost imperceptibly and nodded, saying, "Please sit, Your Excellency."

Although Zhu Yin was only given the title of Vice Censor-in-Chief, the Vice Censor-in-Chief was an inspector, which carried more weight than the Vice Minister of War. Therefore, Wang Xijue addressed him as Vice Censor-in-Chief (中丞) rather than Junior Minister.

Zhu Yin sat down on the bulging stool opposite him, facing several cabinet ministers as if he were on trial.

Wang Xijue first picked up an official document. "This is the latest secret report from Korea, not a public report; it was sent by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It says—"

At this point, he handed the official document to Zhao Zhigao beside him, saying, "Let Grand Secretary Zhao speak."

Zhao Zhigao took the official document, his expression somewhat gloomy.

He wouldn't stay in the cabinet for long, because he would have to take responsibility for the defeat in Korea. He knew perfectly well why it was him. But he couldn't argue, nor could he, so he could only take all the blame and try to secure a good retirement offer.

Zhao Zhigao picked up the official document and continued:

"The Japanese army has no less than 200,000 troops in Korea, more than 160,000 of whom are gathered in Pyongyang, and there are more than 30,000 traitors in Korea. The total number in Pyongyang alone is no less than 200,000."

"On the second day of the first lunar month, the Japanese chieftain Uki dispatched generals Konishi Yukinaga, Kato Kiyomasa, and Shimazu Yoshihiro, among others, to launch a two-pronged attack. They captured Anju, Guicheng, and Qinchuan in quick succession. The Korean army was reduced to only about 10,000 men, while our army was reduced to only about 60,000 men. The combined force of 80,000 retreated to Uiju and Changseong..."

As Zhao Zhigao read the secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, his face turned ashen, his beard trembled, and his voice was dry, concealing his impending rage.

The other senior officials present, as well as the scribes who recorded the events, and even the eunuchs who came to "observe the government," couldn't help but show their anger.

The defeat was too crushing and too shameful!
Zhu Yin, on the contrary, remained calm. This was because his intelligence was more timely and detailed. Moreover, the intelligence on the Embroidered Uniform Guard was actually provided by Huya.

Otherwise, given the current low intelligence capabilities of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, how could they possibly figure out the number and movements of the enemy forces?
Before Huya provided the intelligence, the Imperial Guards didn't even know the name of the Japanese commander-in-chief and thought it was Konishi Yukinaga.

The latest intelligence from Huya indicates that over 95% of North Korea's territory has been lost, meaning the entire country has almost fallen.

Only two strategic locations remained on the riverbank: Uiju and Changseong.

Of the original 100,000-strong Sino-Korean allied forces, only 80,000 remnants remain, retreating to Uiju and Changcheng on the south bank of the Yalu River, separated from Liaodong by the river.

After Hideyoshi urgently reinforced his troops in Korea, the Japanese army numbered over 200,000. With the addition of tens of thousands of newly trained Korean puppet troops, the total strength reached 250,000, and their food supplies were sufficient for half a year.

Even more critically, since the Japanese army invaded Korea, apart from setbacks in naval battles, they had been victorious in land battles, their morale was extremely high, and their arrogance was rampant.

Moreover, the Japanese army occupied Korea for more than half a year, and puppet regimes had been established in various places. The Korean traitors who had surrendered to the Japanese army, seeing the fall of Korea and the defeat of the Ming army, actively served the Japanese army, helping with logistics, requisitioning food and laborers, and recruiting puppet troops.

More and more Koreans are defecting to or submitting to the Japanese army. If this continues, the war will become even more difficult once the Japanese army assimilates Korea.

If it weren't for the fact that the snow in Korea hadn't melted recently, which slowed down the Japanese army's advance, even Uiju and Changseong would have been lost.

What kind of battle was this? Hao Jing, Yang Shaoxun, and Gao Huai led an army of 100,000 into Korea, but after several months they did not win a single battle. Instead, even the general was captured and taken to Japan. They lost tens of thousands of soldiers and retreated 500 li, all the way to the Yalu River.

Huya Intelligence also reported that even the Jianzhou Jurchen tribes north of the Yangtze River were on edge. Many Jurchen people were preparing to migrate north.

The power and brutality of the Japanese army have already spread widely in Liaodong.

Just last month, Japanese vanguard general Yoshihiro Shimazu captured dozens of Jianzhou Jurchens who were crossing the border to collect ginseng and hunt in Shuozhou, and then beheaded them all.

Although the Japanese Emperor and the Imperial Court have been captured and taken to Beijing, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and others have strictly kept the news under wraps, and the Japanese army in Korea is currently unaware of it.

Even if the Ming army spread this news, the Japanese army would find it hard to believe.

Zhu Yin's current hope is that Hao Jing will not be too incompetent and can temporarily hold Yizhou and Changcheng, at least keeping the battlefield in Korea.

Otherwise, once the Japanese army invades Liaodong, the battlefield will be in Liaodong.

After Zhao Zhigao finished reading the secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wang Xijue said again:
"Lord Zhu, have you understood? This is the latest military intelligence from North Korea. North Korea is practically destroyed. As for the current situation... we don't know yet. Do you have any countermeasures?"

Zhu Yin pretended to think for a moment, then said eloquently, "Reporting to the Prime Minister, if Yizhou and Changcheng have been lost, then the Japanese army must have already crossed the river. Therefore, the primary task is to defend Liaodong Pass and protect the Liaodong Commandery first."

"If Yizhou and Changcheng are still in our hands, and the Japanese army has not crossed the river, then let the Jurchen army cross the mountains and forests, go south from Shuozhou, first recapture Shuozhou, and then use the advantage of the Jurchen cavalry to go down the river along the narrow plains south of the Yangtze River to support Changcheng..."

"...At the same time, order Chen Lin and Yi Sun-sin's navy to recapture the Longchuan naval camp and then blockade the Yalu River."

"The commander ordered Qin Liangyu's White-Spear Soldiers and other chieftain troops to climb over Chu Mountain, traverse Pixian, and march over a hundred li through towering mountains and steep ridges, suddenly appearing at Miaoxiang Mountain..."

As Zhu Yin spoke, the other ministers examined the map, nodding in agreement as they listened, with Shen Yiguan looking particularly pleased.

But Zhu Yin continued, "...In this way, the 60,000 to 70,000 Japanese troops who have invaded Ping'an North Province will be unable to advance or retreat, and their reinforcements will be cut off by our army. The strategically important locations of Shuozhou, Longchuan, and Miaoxiangshan have all been recovered by our army. In addition, with the addition of Yizhou and Changcheng, a cage has been formed..."

"By eliminating these 60,000 to 70,000 Japanese troops, our army will not only be able to recapture the entire Ping'an Province, but also shatter Japan's arrogance and greatly boost morale. At that time, we can launch a steady and comprehensive counter-offensive..."

"Excellent!" Zhang Wei couldn't help but slap the table and cheer. "Zhu Zhongcheng truly deserves to be called a young general who is well-versed in military strategy! His vision is unique, and his approach combines orthodox and unorthodox tactics! Grand Secretary, what do you think?"

Wang Xijue's gaze was even more complicated. He nodded and said, "This strategy is indeed a proper and feasible one. Although Zhu Zhongcheng is young, he is a veteran of military affairs. In my opinion, it is appropriate."

Seeing them praise his disciple's strategy, Shen Yiguan was secretly pleased, but said aloud:
"It is appropriate, but in my opinion, there are two particularly important points about this strategy."

"First, can the Jurchen cavalry capture Shuozhou within five days and then rush to reinforce Changcheng, and still be able to fight after arriving? If this cannot be achieved, then the Japanese troops in Guicheng and Taichuan will have a good chance to intercept them. In this way, the Jurchen army will be blocked in the Manpu area, and will be in a dilemma."

"Secondly, can Qin Liangyu's White-Spear Army and other local chieftain troops occupy Miaoxiang Mountain within three days? If not, then the Japanese army in Anzhou isn't stupid, how could they not come to the rescue? Three days is enough time for the Japanese army to rescue Miaoxiang Mountain." Shen Yiguan was indeed insightful. He and the famous general Qi Jiguang were friends for many years, and he had been influenced by him in the past. This was not for nothing.

“That’s right!” Zhao Zhigao nodded. “The key to Zhihu’s strategy lies in these two points. If the Jurchen cavalry and the White-Spear Army are not strong enough, not only will it be difficult to implement this plan and the encirclement will fail, but it will also cause the Jurchen soldiers and the White-Spear Army to be defeated, and the morale of the army will be even more difficult to maintain.”

Zhu Yin smiled and said, "Four Grand Secretaries, I am quite confident in the fighting strength of the Jurchen cavalry and the White-Spear Army. When the White-Spear Army quelled the rebellion in the Northwest, it was a powerful army in the world. They were fearless, dared to fight tough battles, and were especially good at crossing mountains and valleys."

"As for the fighting strength of the Jurchen soldiers, Nurhaci, who accompanied me on this mission to Japan, also impressed me. It is no secret that the Jurchen army is brave and skilled in battle."

"Moreover, the Jurchen cavalry are best at riding through forests, and they can take Shuozhou within five days and then rush to the aid of Changcheng."

"The dramatic changes within Japan are something the Japanese army in Korea certainly doesn't know about, nor would they believe. Therefore, I plan to take the Japanese king and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wives and concubines to Korea to show the Japanese army on the battlefield that the Japanese court is under the control of the Ming Dynasty, thus shaking their morale."

Wang Xijue pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Then let's settle on this. If the battle strategy changes, we shall immediately submit a detailed report. Subsequent military strategies shall also be reported in a timely manner."

Zhu Yin cupped his hands and said, "Please rest assured, Your Excellencies. Although I am going to Korea to command and supervise the troops, the general military strategy still comes from the imperial court. I am just following the court's instructions."

Zhu Yin spoke eloquently, but inwardly he was cursing.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. In reality, in many wars throughout history, the strategies and tactics were all planned by the higher-ups. The generals were merely executors.

Even in later generations, core strategies and tactics were predetermined by the highest military authorities, with generals merely executors and having limited room for maneuver. Otherwise, what would be the purpose of the General Staff and the General Headquarters?

The group discussed the matter for a while longer, covering tactics, logistics, and commanders, and finally came to a general conclusion before ending the discussion.

With this, Zhu Yin's cabinet proposal was approved.

Otherwise, if the cabinet does not approve, they will petition the emperor to replace the general.

The clerks wrote the strategic plan into an official document, then presented one copy to the cabinet minister, another to the eunuchs "observing" the proceedings, and a third to the Ministry of War. Each copy was numbered, stamped with a label, and carefully recorded.

This was a top military secret. If it were leaked to the Japanese army, the Ming army's strategic and tactical plans would be ruined.

After the cabinet's response was completed, the next step was to be summoned for an audience. Generally, this involved the emperor summoning the emperor for a questioning session, usually held on the platform of the West Warm Pavilion in the Qianqing Palace, also known as the platform audience.

If the audience with the emperor fails, the emperor can immediately replace the general.

But Zhu Yin didn't hold out any hope at all.

As expected, Wang Xijue said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "His Majesty originally intended to summon you to the West Warm Pavilion for questioning, but His Majesty has caught a cold and is not fit to summon ministers, so let's cancel it."

"If you want to go back and prepare, you can leave Beijing at any time."

He himself didn't believe it, but that was all he could say. Even as the Grand Secretary, he rarely saw the Emperor, sometimes not even once every two months. His most recent audience was last year when Korea suffered a major defeat. At that time, he was only summoned to question the cabinet and the Ministry of War.

After Zhu Yin left, it was Qi Jiguang's turn to deal with the situation.

When Qi Jiguang entered the cabinet, Wang Xijue and others first showed him Zhu Yin's strategy and asked for Qi Jiguang's opinion.

What they didn't know was that this strategy was actually devised by Qi Jiguang and Zhu Yin together. But after Qi Jiguang saw it, he pretended to be surprised and said:

"Indeed, indeed, the strategist's plan is truly feasible... This humble general believes it is usable."

Hearing Qi Jiguang say the same thing, the senior officials felt even more at ease.

Qi Jiguang was a veteran general with a hundred battles under his belt, a famous general of the Ming Dynasty. Wang Xijue and others naturally wouldn't test him, but instead asked for his advice:
"General, what should we do if Korea falls and the Japanese army invades Liaodong? As the saying goes, we must be prepared for a rainy day. The court must prepare a plan for the aftermath and make arrangements to protect the capital region."

Qi Jiguang nodded and said, "Indeed, we must consider the possibility of defeat. If Korea is defeated again, we must simultaneously consolidate our defenses in Liaodong and dispatch troops from Shandong and Henan to the north at full speed..."

"If Liaodong is defeated again, then we will have no choice but to hold Shanhaiguan and prepare for a second Battle of Beijing. Of course, this is the worst-case scenario."

Qi Jiguang was very reluctant to say such things. But it was necessary to have such a contingency plan.

Wang Xijue frowned, his thick dark eyebrows furrowing, and suddenly asked, "What if... what if Shanhaiguan also falls? For His Majesty's safety..."

Qi Jiguang immediately interrupted, saying, "Gentlemen, no matter how bad the situation is, we must not move the capital!"

"General, what makes you say such a thing!" Wang Xijue's face darkened. "When did I ever say anything about moving the capital? Even if the Japanese pirates are at the gates, we will defend Beijing to the death!"

Qi Jiguang opened his mouth, but could only manage a bitter smile, cursing Wang Xijue inwardly for being cunning and actually testing him.

Shen Yiguan and the others exchanged smiles.

It wasn't entirely impossible for Japanese pirates to breach Shanhaiguan Pass and besiege Beijing. However, they were confident that the possibility was very small, almost like needless worry.

The entire capital region has an army of over 300,000 on paper.

Xuanfu and Datong, not far from Beijing, could also mobilize 100,000 troops to defend the emperor.

At least another 100,000 combat-ready soldiers can be drawn from Shandong and Henan.

In just one month, hundreds of thousands of troops can gather in Beijing to defend the emperor. What can the Japanese army do then?

If the Japanese army really reaches the outskirts of Beijing, we can simply fight another Battle of Beijing.

...

Without mentioning Qi Jiguang's response at the Wenyuan Pavilion, let's talk about Zhu Yin, the Korean strategist, who was on his way to the Wenhua Hall at this time.

He was going to see his disciple, Zhu Changluo!
Zhang Jing kept his promise and finally fulfilled what he had promised.

Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've seen Chang Luo.

Zhu Yin arrived at a side hall of the Wenhua Hall and saw a thin, pale-clothed young boy standing timidly at the door, looking expectant.

"Sir!" Upon seeing Zhu Yin, the young boy's expression immediately lit up with excitement, and he ran over to greet him.

"The gentleman has arrived!"

P.S.: I'm too busy today, that's all for now, thank you!
(End of this chapter)