Di Ming

Chapter 352 The Jurchen army sweeping south!
Then, Ning Qingchen's voice came from inside the room:
"You all know that power and wealth are nothing but fleeting clouds and dust to me. One whose heart is not close to Buddha cannot be a healer. What I seek is to heal the sick and save lives, to practice medicine and help the world. You see her, she is a Japanese woman, and in truth, her death is not a pity. But she is a prisoner, and a pregnant woman. If I do not save her, I will be going against my principles..."

The female students respectfully replied in unison, "We will remember your teachings, Master."

...

A few quarters of an hour later, Ning Qingchen came out of the ward and said to Zhu Yin and the others:

"The infection wasn't serious, the treatment was timely, and the patient is fine. I've already taken the medication..."

Ning Qingchen did not use the anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics she developed herself under ancient conditions, because these drugs still needed extensive in vivo clinical trials and targeted improvements before they could be officially used.

Therefore, she mainly used the magnesium sulfate tablets that were still in the medicine box.

Madam Cao went in to check and said, "Mr. Zhihu, Master, the pregnant woman's complexion has improved, and the bleeding has stopped. She looked like she was going to die, but now she's alive again."

Zhu Yin was not surprised at all, but Wang Shixing was so amazed that he had to admit defeat. There really was a seven-year-old miracle doctor! The rumors were indeed true!

Wang Shixing, who was in charge here, immediately thanked him, saying, "Then I thank Physician Ning. Physician Ning's medical skills are divine, and he has a compassionate heart. I admire him very much."

I had some doubts before, but now I truly admire you.

Ning Qingchen, with a stern face, instructed, "Many people admire me, so there's no need to say such things."

“Master Wang, you must treat pregnant women better and be more lenient with them. If both mother and child die, the Japanese prisoners will become restless, which will make it harder for the court to use them as pawns. You’d better send someone to take care of them.”

With that, she waved her hand and said, "I'm leaving! Don't see me off!"

A group of female medical students immediately followed their teacher and left in a large entourage.

Who knew that Ning Qingchen had only taken a few steps when she suddenly turned back to Zhu Yin and said, "I'm going back for dinner tonight, wait for me."

Zhu Yin nodded and smiled, "Okay, come back soon."

After the radiant Physician Ning left, Wang Shixing said, "Brother Zhihu, your wife's younger sister is truly an extraordinary person. Your whole family are extraordinary people."

Zhu Yin entered the room again and saw that Cha Cha's complexion was much better. He reached out and touched her forehead; her fever had subsided.

At this moment, Cha Cha was utterly astonished. Zhu Yin had brought in a spirited little girl who could actually cure his illness!
"You're alright now, get some rest," Zhu Yin said, sitting by her bedside. "From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself."

“Shushan Maru…” Chacha’s eyes were blurry with tears. “Thank you, but I’m still being greedy. If you ever think of your sister again, can you come and see her again? Only when I see you do my child and I have the courage to live on in this place.”

"We'll talk about it later," Zhu Yin said coldly. "I'm going to Korea to fight the Japanese pirates. Your husband, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, has sent more than 200,000 troops on a sea expedition. Korea has become hell. Japanese samurai are killing people everywhere and are going to attack Liaodong and conquer the Ming Dynasty."

"Japan is so arrogant and brutal that it must pay the price. After I wipe out the Japanese army in Korea, I may come back to see you. How will you feel then?"

"I, I..." Chacha covered her face with the blanket. "Hideyoshi, that wasn't my intention. I tried to persuade Hideyoshi not to send troops, but his ambition burned away his reason. No one could stop him. It wasn't my fault."

Zhu Yin stood up. "I'm leaving."

After saying that, he left the house without looking back.

Then came the pregnant woman's choked voice calling, "Hideyama Maru..."

Next, Zhu Yin went to see Zhou Ren, the Japanese locust. Upon arriving at the residence where Zhou Ren was under house arrest, he found him practicing calligraphy.

Upon seeing Zhu Yin appear, Zhou Ren immediately dropped his pen and exclaimed as if he had seen a savior:
"Young Tiger! You've finally arrived. I... I've been waiting for you for so long."

Even though Zhu Yin was the one who captured him and was his greatest enemy, he only felt hope when he saw Zhu Yin.

That's really strange.

Zhu Yin sat down leisurely. "What do you want to see me for? Do you want me to release you? Heh, I no longer have the authority to release you."

Zhou Ren slumped down, "I...I know you won't let me go, but has Lord Zhihu forgotten what he promised me?"

Zhu Yin sat with his legs crossed, chuckling, "What did I promise you?"

Seeing that Zhu Yin looked like he wanted to renege on his debt, Zhou Ren was on the verge of tears and said pitifully:
“When we were in Kyoto, Mr. Chikatora said that as long as I cooperated with you in putting on an act in front of the people of Kyoto and obediently issued a few imperial edicts, I would be treated well.”

"But I've been staying here for half a month. Is this the preferential treatment you mentioned, Mr. Chikorok?"

Zhou Ren looked miserable and aggrieved. Coupled with the fact that he hadn't shaved for many days and didn't know how to groom his beard, he appeared even more disheveled and wretched.

Zhu Yin pointed at his beard and laughed, "You Japanese contemptuously call the Han people 'bearded slaves.' But look at yourself in the mirror now, your beard is a mess, like weeds."

Zhou Ren suppressed his anger, ignoring Zhu Yin's ridicule, and emphasized again:
"Lord Zhihu, the Great Ming is a celestial empire, a land of propriety. I... I believe in the Emperor of the Great Ming, and I believe that Lord Zhihu is a man of his word. Besides, I am, after all, the ruler of a nation; the Great Ming should not treat me this way..."

Zhu Yin waved his hand, interrupting him, "You want preferential treatment? Fine. I will keep my promise, but you haven't done enough. You haven't rendered any service to the Ming Dynasty!"

"You haven't rendered any service to the Ming Dynasty?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Ren was furious and couldn't help but tremble with anger.

I am the Emperor of the Divine Kingdom, what merit have I rendered for the Ming Dynasty? Why should I perform merit for the Ming Dynasty? This is utterly absurd!
Zhu Yin seemed to have Zhou Ren completely under his control, and said calmly:
“If you don’t perform meritorious service, why would the court continue to support you? You’ll either be killed or enslaved. There are over 130 mouths to feed, and your daily food expenses alone exceed 20 taels of silver. Add in all the miscellaneous expenses, and it will cost at least 10,000 taels of silver a year. Tell me, why should the Ming Dynasty spend over 10,000 taels of silver a year to support you?”

“If you don’t perform meritorious service, don’t even think about preferential treatment, let alone your current life.”

Zhou Ren smiled wryly and said, "What else do you want me to do?"

Zhu Yin snorted coldly, "Come with me to Korea. We'll meet those Japanese generals and issue them a few edicts."

"At least let them know that their Emperor is studying and visiting in the Ming Dynasty, which will put their minds at ease."

Zhou Ren was so angry that he trembled all over, his body shaking violently.

Zhu Yin smiled again, his expression changing instantly. "As long as you cooperate, you'll be doing a service to the Ming Dynasty. I guarantee that the Ming Dynasty will bestow upon you a title, restore your freedom, and allow you to enjoy wealth and honor. You'll have official titles, gold and silver, and estates wherever you want!"

"Of course, if you refuse, the consequences will be severe. Your Majesty, I truly wish to help you, but you must demonstrate your willingness!"

"With you all making a big show of yourselves in your shells every day, and acting like you're holding court in the courtyard, it's already merciful that the Emperor hasn't killed you. You expect preferential treatment?"

Zhou Ren took a deep breath. "Alright, I am willing to serve the Ming Dynasty and go to Korea with you. But before going to Korea, I would like to have an audience with the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yin's smile was quite eerie. "You want to see the emperor? Absolutely not. Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty was extremely busy, working day and night, forgetting to eat and sleep. He met with countless ministers every day, reviewed countless memorials, and worried endlessly about the country and its people! Did he have time to see you? What a joke. Zhou Ren, you think too highly of yourself as a king."

Zhou Ren was extremely disappointed when he heard that he could not see the emperor.

Since the Ming emperor refused to see him, his fate was in the hands of people like Zhu Yin; he still had to be at Zhu Yin's mercy.

Zhou Ren sighed and said, "Alright, I was just being delusional. I will follow your orders, whatever you say, I will do."

Zhu Yin nodded: "You're quite sensible, no wonder you're the King of Japan. Make your preparations. I've already informed the court and the Emperor, and I'll take you to Korea in a few days."

After saying a few words, Zhu Yin went to see Hideyoshi's wife, Ningning.

After being captured, Ningning considered going on a hunger strike. However, Zhu Yin threatened her that if she committed suicide by starvation, he would kill her nephew and confidants who had been captured with her. She finally gave in.

"What are you doing here?" Ningning asked Zhu Yin with a cold glare as soon as she saw him.

As Hideyoshi's first wife, Nene certainly had some backbone and the demeanor of a principal wife.

However, Zhu Yin knew very well that Ningning was not the kind of woman who would rather die than submit. If she were, history would not have shown her betrayal of the Toyotomi clan and her submission to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Zhu Yin knew this woman's bottom line, so he didn't mince words and coldly said:

"The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has issued an imperial decree that you must come with me to Korea to meet the old subordinates of the Monkey King on the battlefield. They all know you as their mistress."

Ningning gritted her teeth and said, "What if I don't go?"

"Not going?" Zhu Yin stroked his chin. "Your nephew and the people around you will die, and you yourself—" He pointed to the soldiers outside, his tone stern, "I will send you to them. They are all young and strong, much stronger than monkeys. You can give it a try."

Ningning looked at Zhu Yin in disbelief, finding it hard to believe that such a handsome young man could be so vicious and despicable.

"Don't look at me like that." Zhu Yin's gaze was icy. "I really have no reason to be a gentleman to you Japanese, because you don't deserve it. You approved of Hideyoshi's invasion, didn't you? The fact that you're still alive is already a testament to the Ming Dynasty's mercy."

"Let me ask you one more time: if I asked you to come to North Korea with me, would you comply or not?"

Ningning's dignified oval face flushed red, then turned deathly pale, and finally she nodded and said, "I... I agree!"

"Just go along with it!" Zhu Yin laughed. "If you cooperate obediently when you go to North Korea, I guarantee you'll survive."

.........

During this period, thanks to Zhu Yin's advance arrangements, key members of Zhu's faction were transferred out of the capital one by one to serve as governors, inspectors, provincial treasurers, provincial judges, military commissioners, and prefects in other places.

The 100,000 taels of silver weren't wasted after all. Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei were adept at exploiting loopholes in the corrupt bureaucracy.

Even Zhang Jing was unaware that these officials transferred from Beijing were all key members of Zhu's faction. In his view, these people probably didn't want to get involved in the struggle for the succession of the nation, so they gave up their positions in Beijing and voluntarily transferred to other places.

In Zhang Jing's view, this was for the best, as it meant fewer enemies.

If he knew that this was Zhu Yin's expedient measure to protect Zhu's faction, I wonder what he would think.

Only after completing these tasks could Zhu Yin feel at ease going to Korea, thereby avoiding the impending political storm in the court.

We're finally about to set off!

By the 24th day of the first lunar month, Li Rusong, Qin Liangyu, Xiong Tingbi, Cao Wenzhao, Zhao Shuaijiao, and others had all led their troops to Beijing.

Of all the generals Zhu Yin had led, only Mao Wenlong, who was already stationed in Liaodong, did not come to join them.

Of these generals, Li Rusong was personally appointed by Emperor Wanli. Qin Liangyu, Xiong Tingbi, and others were recommended by different factions at Zhu Yin's secret behest.

While Zhu Yin and the others were busy preparing for the expedition, Ning Qingchen was not idle either.

She selected more than one hundred students from the medical school to form a temporary field medical battalion. Then she asked Li Shizhen to stay at the academy as acting headmaster, while she herself prepared to lead the field medical battalion to Korea with Zhu Yin.

On the 26th day of the first lunar month, Zhu Yin and Qi Jiguang officially received the military seal, imperial sword, and royal command flag at the Meridian Gate. After paying their respects to the emperor at the Forbidden City, they left Beijing with their ceremonial guards.

Generals such as Li Rusong, Xiong Tingbi, and Qin Liangyu naturally accompanied the expedition. Besides them, there were also Zhu Yin's guards, Ning Qingchen's medical battalion, advisors such as Xu Wei and Feng Menglong, as well as Xiao Hei and Fei Hu.

By the time they arrived at Shanhaiguan, the Ming army that had been ordered to follow Zhu Yin numbered over 30,000. Among them were 7,000 cavalry and 8,000 firearms soldiers.

Most of these 30,000 elite troops were soldiers that Zhu Yin had once led, and were his former subordinates who had followed him in suppressing the rebellion in the Northwest last year.

Of course, it wasn't Zhu Yin who recommended them for the expedition, but rather Zhu Yin secretly instructed his cronies to recommend them individually, so they weren't labeled as Zhu Yin's cronies.

Zhu Yin led more than 30,000 elite Ming troops and received tens of thousands of pack horses, mules, and carts, as well as more than 10,000 laborers at Shanhaiguan.

Then, they marched out of the pass in a grand procession, along the Liaoxi Corridor, bypassing the impassable Liaoze, and meandering towards Liaodong.

The army was focused on getting to their destination, and Li Rusong didn't even go home to visit his father, Li Chengliang.

However, upon receiving the news, Li Chengliang had already dispatched a full thousand of his family's elite cavalry to join the main army and fight alongside Li Rusong.

On February 12, Zhu Yin and Qi Jiguang's army left Liaodong Commandery and appeared in Jianzhou, only a few days' journey from the Yalu River.

At this time, the latest battle report from Korea was also received. Hao Jing was not entirely incompetent; he managed to hold key riverbank locations such as Uiju and Changseong, preventing the Japanese army from invading Liaodong.

However, the situation has become extremely critical.

When Zhu Yin's army left Fushun Pass and arrived at Jianzhou, Nurhaci, who had already received the news, immediately led a cavalry unit to greet them.

Upon receiving the report, Zhu Yin ordered a halt to the advance and stationed his troops on the hillside to await Nurhaci.

The tens of thousands of troops were an impressive sight, with a tall banner in front of them. Zhu Yin and Qi Jiguang, both clad in armor, stood side by side beneath the banner, the old man and the young man standing out starkly against each other.

Nurhaci, dressed in a bright red armor, dismounted and knelt ten paces away, reporting loudly in somewhat broken Chinese:

"This humble general, Tong Nurhaci, the Governor of Jianzhou and General of the Golden Guard, greets the Grand Marshal! Greetings, General!"

In front of so many people, he certainly couldn't show any intimacy with Zhu Yin, so he had to deliberately keep his distance.

Zhu Yin called out loudly, "General Tong, please rise! Come closer and let's talk!"

"Yes, sir!" Nurhaci replied habitually in Jurchen, and then stood up.

As he stood up, he became like an iron tower, with a tall and imposing figure, broad shoulders and a thick waist. His armor clanged as he walked, making him look extremely majestic and powerful.

Even Qi Jiguang couldn't help but nod and say, "The ruler of Jianzhou is indeed extraordinary."

Li Rusong, who was standing next to Qi Jiguang, chuckled in a low voice: "Tong Nu used to be a servant in the Li family. I never imagined that he would become the ruler of Jianzhou now."

His smile was complex, and his tone was full of emotion.

Nurhaci walked up to Zhu Yin and Qi Jiguang, and was about to bow again when Zhu Yin immediately stopped him.

"General Tong, no need for formalities!" Zhu Yin patted his hand, and the two exchanged knowing smiles.

Nurhaci reported: "Ten thousand elite troops from the Jianzhou tribe have been mobilized. I request that the Grand Marshal and the General inspect them!"

The entire Jianzhou tribe, including men, women, and children, numbered less than 100,000. At most, the number of Jurchen able-bodied men who could fight was only 20,000.

Nurhaci selected 10,000 elite troops at once, almost the entire army of the country, which shows his boldness.

Now they have no choice but to fight desperately. The Jianzhou Jurchens are separated from Korea only by the Yalu River. Once the Japanese army crosses the river, the Jianzhou Jurchens will be the first to be hit.

"Very good!" Zhu Yin said with a smile. "General, you've worked hard! The Jurchen soldiers have also worked hard!"

"Tomorrow we will inspect the Jianzhou army, and three days later we will march south to the Yalu River!"

Nurhaci obeyed, saying, "Yes, sir!"

Just as Zhu Yingang finished speaking, a scout suddenly galloped from the northwest, and the rider on the horse dismounted.

"Report!" the scout reported loudly, "The armies of the Yehe and Hulun tribes have been dispatched by imperial decree and have already crossed Guangshun Pass! They are less than two hundred li from here! They will arrive to join us the day after tomorrow!"

Zhu Yin ordered, "Tell Yehe Beile Buzhai and the others that they will meet at Sarhu the day after tomorrow afternoon!"

After giving the order, Nurhaci added, "This place is not far from Ala City. Please, General and Grand Marshal, go to the city to rest."

Zhu Yin said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

……

Just as Zhu Yin was heading to Ala City, a massive Jurchen army of 20,000 men was marching south from the vicinity of Guangshun Pass, which spanned over a hundred locations in the northwest.

These 20,000 Jurchen troops were, of course, the allied forces of the four tribes of Hulun who were ordered to send troops, and the leader was none other than Yehe Beile, Buzhai!
The 20,000-strong Jurchen army was incredibly powerful. The Jurchen warriors, with their shaved heads and braided hair, galloped on horseback with the force of thunder!
Countless ice shards flew up on the snowfield where the ice and snow had not yet completely melted!

Anyone who witnessed this scene would likely think: if the Jurchen tribes could truly unify, then it would be Yehe, not Jianzhou, that would unify the Jurchens!

P.S.: I was originally going to write a long chapter today, but something came up and I can only write 5,000 words. I'll write a long chapter tomorrow instead. Thank you! Please vote with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)