Di Ming

Chapter 430 Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou!

Leaving aside Emperor Wanli fishing in the Western Garden, let's talk about the Ministry of War in Beijing, where the newly appointed Vice Minister of War, Zheng Guowang, was trembling with righteous indignation.

Hao Yunlai! You two-faced scoundrel, you actually went against the tide!
She wasn't unaware that Hao Yunlai might betray the Zheng family and defect to Nanjing. But when the news arrived, she was still furious and trembling with cold.

Just half a month ago, Ma Qiancheng, the pacification commissioner of Shizhu, and his wife Qin Liangyu announced their support for Zhu Yin and their allegiance to Nanjing. They led 6,000 troops in a surprise attack on Qiu Chengyun's tax collector camp, defeated Chongqing Wei, and captured Qiu Chengyun.

Qiu Chengyun's remaining troops fled back to Chongqing and were reorganized by Hao Yunlai. However, instead of organizing a defense of the city, Hao Yunlai announced that Chongqing Prefecture had surrendered to the Nanjing puppet regime!

The easily defensible city of Chongqing thus fell into the hands of the Nanjing puppet regime.

What kind of place is Chongqing? It is a strategic location guarding the Sichuan Basin and Southwest China, controlling the Yangtze River and governing Hubei and Hunan provinces. It is the gateway to Sichuan and the key to Yunnan and Guizhou. It has always been a place of great importance to military strategists.

Otherwise, when the Mongols destroyed the Song Dynasty, they wouldn't have fought a fierce battle in Chongqing for thirty years.

If Chongqing is in hand, then Sichuan will be in the hands of the imperial court, and Yunnan and Guizhou will be connected with Sichuan and Chongqing. Further north, Hanzhong and Guanzhong will be connected, and the overall situation will still be in the hands of the imperial court.

However, Hao Yunlai surrendered to Chongqing and joined the rebels, leaving the gateways to Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan wide open. Not only was the entire Sichuan province in danger, but the two provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou were also in danger.

Before Hao Yunlai betrayed his country, he wrote her a letter, which stated that the south was in rebellion, Hubei and Hunan had sided with Nanjing, the people of Chongqing were completely on Zhu Yin's side, and that the tax supervisor Qiu Chengyun was extremely indignant with the people, so he had no choice but to submit to Nanjing.

I don't ask for her forgiveness, I only ask for her understanding.

"Hao Huaji, Hao Huaji!" Zheng Guowang gritted his teeth, "I even recommended you as the governor of Sichuan! And this is how you treat me! How can you face the court, how can you face the emperor!"

After saying that, he slammed the letter onto the desk.

The surrounding officials, seeing that Vice Minister Zheng was angry, dared not utter a sound.

When Zhu Yin rebelled, Zheng Guojiu was furious and berated Zhu Yin for two whole days. Now, with so many high-ranking officials in the south having joined the rebellion, Zheng Guojiu hadn't cursed anyone, yet he was so angry at Hao Yunlai, a mere prefect, for joining the rebellion.

Li Chi, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, said cautiously, "Young Master, although Hao Yunlai has already sided with the rebels, he is still just a prefect. Why bother getting angry with such a two-faced and ungrateful scoundrel? It's really not worth it."

A hint of sadness crept onto Zheng Guowang's handsome face.

"Alas! Human hearts are so fickle, like water. Even the closest of friends cannot be trusted!"

She stroked her handsome mustache, her tone slightly indignant:
"How did the world become like this? In recent years, I have also advised the emperor not to send eunuchs to collect taxes from all directions. Those tax supervisors are all greedy gluttons. Letting them collect mining taxes will surely incur the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people."

"What's the situation now? The southern provinces have arrested tax inspectors, claiming they've committed heinous crimes, and have all been sent to Nanjing in prison. All the silver these tax inspectors plundered, even digging three feet into the ground, has ended up benefiting Zhu Yin and the puppet regime!"

Mentioning Zhu Yin, Zheng Guowang's anger surged even more. "I was even a little indignant on Zhu Yin's behalf before, thinking he had been wronged, and I even wrote a letter asking Hao Yunlai to take care of him. In the end, all my good intentions were wasted!"

"I never imagined he would be such a traitor, a disloyal and unfilial subject!"

"Just wait, once we've taken Nanjing, I will personally oversee the execution of Zhu Yin and Hao Yunlai!"

Physician Li Chi suddenly couldn't help but remind him, "Young Marshal... you've pulled out all your beard, doesn't it hurt? How did you get to this point? Don't be angry, don't be angry. Traitors and rebels deserve to be killed by everyone, and Heaven will take care of them."

Zheng Guowang was startled, only then realizing that a tuft of his carefully glued, beautiful mustache had been unknowingly pulled out!
hiss--

"Ouch! That hurts so much!" Zheng Guowang was a quick-witted man and reacted immediately, feigning pain and covering his mouth. "I'll go put on some ointment first. You all go about your business."

"Write a memorial for me, saying that my previous recommendation of Hao Yunlai as the governor of Sichuan was a misjudgment of talent, and I request to be fined one year's salary!"

"Also, I've written my letter of thanks. I'll be leaving the capital to train troops in two days!"

After saying that, he hurriedly left the Vice Minister's stables and went straight to the bridge to return to his residence.

Zheng Guowang returned to his residence, hurriedly went to his room, re-plastered his beard in front of the mirror, and added a few more strokes to his eyebrows, making them thicker.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she was suddenly overcome with sorrow, her nose tingled, and tears streamed down her face.

She is a woman! No matter how much she doesn't want to admit it, it's an undeniable fact! The masculine characteristics she had in childhood have long since atrophied and disappeared.

On the contrary, she now possesses all the characteristics of a woman! The question is, how long can she hide it? Can she deceive herself for the rest of her life?
God, why are you making things so difficult for me? Why?!

Is it wrong for me to just do things like a man?

Even if I were to wipe out the puppet dynasty one day and become the Grand Secretary, there would be no way to change anything, would there?
Zheng Guowang clenched his fists, wanting to shout, but afraid that others would think he was crazy.

"Husband." A familiar voice came from outside the window, "I heard you returned home in a hurry, what happened?"

"It's nothing," Zheng Guowang lowered his voice and adjusted his tone. "I just came back to find a letter, you don't need to worry about it."

Hearing her husband's tired voice, Madam Zheng became worried and asked again, "Husband, are you feeling unwell? May I come in and take a look?"

Zheng Guowang's voice grew increasingly cold. "I've already said, you don't need to worry about it. Go and do your own thing."

The woman outside the window sighed softly and walked away.

Zheng Guowang stared blankly at himself in the mirror. His face was as handsome as jade, his beard was neat, and he had an elegant demeanor. He was truly a handsome man.

But this "refined gentleman of the world" could only sigh, his heart filled with sorrow, longing only to get drunk. Unfortunately, he dared not, for being drunk and unconscious would easily give him away!
"Fourth Master." Suddenly, the voice of a trusted guard rang out from outside the door.

"Come in." Zheng Guowang put on his hat.

The guard entered, knelt down, and reported: "Fourth Master, the latest news from the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

“Speak,” Zheng Guowang uttered a single word.

In recent years, although her elder brother was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, she was in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's espionage affairs. After her reorganization, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's intelligence capabilities improved significantly, and at least they were no longer as lax as before.

The guard said, "Fourth Master ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to closely monitor the news of the Mongol tribes to prevent them from taking advantage of the chaos and going south to plunder. The Embroidered Uniform Guard took the order very seriously and found out that the Chahar tribe was indeed making unusual movements, but it was not yet clear whether they were gathering troops."

"It may also be related to an incident. Not long ago, a group of Han Chinese and Jurchen merchants suddenly attacked Hutubi Temple, a major Tantric temple in Chahar, killing more than a hundred monks and Mongol cavalrymen, stealing something hidden in the temple, and then fled back to the Jurchen tribe."

"The unusual movements of the Chahar tribe may also be related to this matter, and may not necessarily be a southward attack on the pass."

Zheng Guowang frowned, his expression thoughtful. "Why make such a big fuss, risking offending the Tantric sect and Chechen Khan? What is their background? What treasure did they steal?"

The guard shook his head and said, "I don't know. The Embroidered Uniform Guard said they could only confirm that there were Han Chinese and Jurchens involved, not many, at most a hundred, but they were very fierce. Two of the Jurchen boys were particularly brave. One of the boys' names contained the character 'Shan' (善, meaning good/kind). That's all they know."

"As for what they stole, we don't know. Even the monks of Hutubi Temple don't know what treasures are hidden in the temple."

Zheng Guowang said, "Aren't the Jurchens afraid of offending the Mongols? What exactly are they doing? Killing so many lamas at Hutubi Temple, aren't they afraid of retaliation from the Mongols and the Tantric sect?"

The guard replied, "Your subordinate is incompetent and has not found much. Your subordinates speculate that perhaps the Jurchens instigated internal strife among themselves to retaliate against the Mongols?"

"Two years ago, the Khorchin instigated the Haixi Jurchens to attack the Jianzhou Jurchens. The two sides fought a decisive battle at Gule Mountain, resulting in heavy losses on both sides, but it was the Jurchens who died. The Jurchens had already suffered heavy losses when they went to Goryeo to fight against the Japanese pirates a few years ago. After the Battle of Gule Mountain, most of their elite troops were wiped out. Afterwards, when they realized what had happened, they must have hated the Mongols for instigating this."

"It's not that simple." Zheng Guowang's eyes narrowed slightly. "Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard continue investigating, including the Jurchens. I feel there's definitely something wrong with this. Don't forget, Han Chinese were involved in this. How could it be the Jurchens seeking revenge against the Mongols? What Han Chinese caravan would dare to attack Hutubi Temple?"

"We need to focus our investigation on that Jurchen boy whose name contains the character 'Shan' (善, meaning goodness). The Jurchen population is limited, and that boy is likely from a distinguished background, which narrows down the pool even further. Go!"

"Yes, Fourth Master!"

After the guards left, Zheng Guowang sat by the window, recalling his cooperation with Zhu Yin during their mission to Japan.

Looking back now, it's all so vivid, as if it happened yesterday, truly moving me deeply.

After a long silence, she sighed and muttered to herself:
"Zhu Zhihu, from this day forward, you and I are mortal enemies. We cannot coexist with traitors and Han foes!"

……

In the first year of the Taichang reign, in the eighth month, in Nanjing.

The newly re-established Nanjing Grand Military Governor's Office did not rebuild the original Grand Military Governor's Office from the early days of the dynasty. Instead, it was directly set up in Zhu Yin's Ningguo Duke's Mansion.

In this way, Zhu Yin's Duke's Mansion became like a Grand General's Mansion, combining official residence and private residence into one, which was also the standard configuration for powerful ministers.

Aside from attending court and presiding over government affairs in the cabinet, Zhu Yin would return to his residence to oversee military matters. As a result, whenever officials in the court needed to handle matters concerning the Grand Military Commission, they would have to come to Zhu Yin's residence.

Even the newly engraved gold seal of the Grand Commander was placed in Zhu Yin's private study.

It's not that Zhu Yin was too autocratic and domineering; rather, his fate was the fate of the nation, the fate of China. He had to firmly grasp the power he had seized and not delegate it to others, especially military power!
Otherwise, if he were to fail, the entire world would suffer the consequences. He would rather be condemned as a usurper, a traitor like Wang Mang or Cao Cao, than not care.

Fortunately, Li Tingzhu's overstepping and expansion of the Duke's Mansion covered a large area, enough to house the Grand Commander's Office. Even with more than a hundred additional Grand Commander's Office officials, it wasn't crowded at all.

Zhu Yin, now holding the title of Regent Grand Tutor, concurrently serves as both Grand Secretary and Grand Commander, wielding immense power over the cabinet and the Grand Commander's Office. His mansion is constantly bustling with activity, a veritable throng of carriages and horses.

The center of power in the Southern Dynasty is no longer in the imperial palace, but in the Duke's mansion. Distinguished figures and officials, each with a formal invitation and a gift box, are arriving in droves seeking an audience with the Grand Tutor. Many noble ladies are also finding ways to see Ning Caiwei.

Everyone says that the taste of power is wonderful, but Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei find it very hard.

That afternoon, Zhu Yin had just returned to his residence from the Wenyuan Pavilion and was about to convene a military council when Qin Liangyu, along with Qiu Chengyun and Hao Yunlai, entered the capital.

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Yin hurriedly went out of the city to greet him personally.

Upon arriving at the city gate and seeing Qin Liangyu leading three thousand soldiers to Nanjing, Zhu Yin couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Sister! I've been waiting for you!" Zhu Yin was overjoyed to see Qin Liangyu, who looked travel-worn. "I was worried that after receiving my secret letter, you might switch sides and surrender to Nanjing."

After saying that, he smiled at Hao Yunlai, who was beside Qin Liangyu, and said, "Brother Huaji, I am very pleased that you have brought the entire Chongqing prefecture to Nanjing. I am overjoyed to hear the news."

Chongqing Prefecture is strategically important. If we can take Chongqing Prefecture without bloodshed, then Sichuan will be within our grasp.

Qin Liangyu smiled bitterly and said, "What can we do? I didn't expect you to cause such a big mess and support Prince Xin to quell the rebellion! After receiving your letter, I hesitated for a long time, but when I thought about what Qiu Chengyun had done and what the Emperor Emeritus had done, I decided to support you and His Majesty."

Hao Yunlai also said with deep emotion, "Zhihu, Zhihu, you have really done something great! I have been suffering for days and nights since I heard the news of you in Nanjing!"

He spread his hands, his face full of bitterness. "You served as the magistrate of Pengshui for three years, keeping quiet all this time, and then suddenly you secretly ran off to Nanjing to stir up some kind of rebellion! If it weren't for your sister-in-law's persuasion, I really wouldn't know what to do. Alas, you're making me feel like I'm being disloyal and unjust!"

Hao Yunlai was extremely helpless; he truly did not want to submit to Nanjing.

After all, Zhu Yin was rebelling!
No matter how unpopular or incompetent the Wanli Emperor was, he was still the emperor and father. Zhu Yin and Prince Xin's actions were a grave breach of both loyalty and filial piety!

To put it bluntly, this is a grave breach of principle. A subject betraying his ruler, a son defying his father!

If they succeed, there will be opportunities to gradually cover it up in the future, but if they fail, they will be traitors and rebels who will never be redeemed.

But Madam Hao's words awakened him: "Even a young tiger can stumble when it comes to great things. If it has never done so, why don't you take advantage of the beautiful scenery and add to the glory? Opportunities are fleeting and will not come again. A great man should ride the wind and traverse ten thousand miles of waves."

These words were like a wake-up call. He realized with a sigh that since Zhihu took the provincial examination, he had accomplished many great things without ever making a mistake!

Each time, the young tiger interacted with a well-thought-out plan, achieving perfect success.

This time, the young tiger has been lying low for three years. When it makes a move, it will be a thunderous and powerful action, a move it is determined to make. It is not something it would do rashly.

Then, Zhihu must be extremely confident!
Having figured this out, Hao Yunlai immediately prepared to respond, offering Chongqing as a gift and siding with Nanjing!
Zhu Yin laughed and said, "Brother Huaji, you are overthinking it. Even if it is disloyal and unfilial, I will still stand in front to protect you from the wind and rain. Mencius said, 'The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important.' What is true loyalty? Loyalty to the people is true loyalty, righteousness, and benevolence. Next is loyalty to the country and the state, and lastly, loyalty to the ruler."

"Even the emperor is the same; he first fulfills his filial duty to the country and the people, and then to his parents."

“Brother Huaji served as the prefect of Chongqing for four years, loving the people like his own children. The people regarded him as their parents. This is true loyalty. Why should we worry about disloyalty or injustice?”

Hao Yunlai thought about it and felt relieved. But he was also filled with emotion.

Previously, he was the prefect, and Zhihu was the county magistrate. He thought he had finally gained the upper hand and become Zhihu's superior, and was quite proud of himself for several years.

But who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, the young tiger would become the regent, the chief minister, and the grand commander-in-chief, taking control of the government!
Life's encounters are truly bizarre.

Hao Yunlai sighed inwardly, then smiled and pointed behind him, "Zhihu, look who he is."

Zhu Yin looked and saw a group of soldiers escorting a prison cart, inside which was locked a pale-faced, beardless man.

It was Qiu Chengyun, the powerful tax inspector who had caused so much resentment in Sichuan and Chongqing in recent years!
However, Qiu Chengyun at this moment was no longer the high-spirited and arrogant man he once was; instead, he was filled with fear and looked utterly disheveled.

"Hahaha!" Zhu Yin laughed and stepped forward. "Who do we have here? Isn't this Eunuch Qiu? Back then, Eunuch Qiu was so powerful. How did he end up like this? It's true what they say, fortunes change every three years."

Qiu Chengyun trembled uncontrollably upon seeing Zhu Yin.

"Grand Tutor! I was confused before! I am willing to serve you, Grand Tutor, but I beg you to be merciful and spare my life."

"All the silver I've received over the years has been offered to the Grand Tutor! I only beg for your mercy!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yin smiled without saying a word, but his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"Pah!" Qin Liangyu spat. "You eunuch traitor, your crimes are heinous, how many people have you harmed? You still want to live today? If I spare you, who will those people in Sichuan who have lost their families and been displaced seek justice from?"

Eunuch Qiu hissed, "The Emperor Emeritus ordered me to come; I dare not disobey. I am merely acting on imperial orders."

Hao Yunlai looked at Qiu Chengyun with the eyes of someone looking at a dead man, "Not to mention the whole of Sichuan, just in my Chongqing prefecture, hundreds and thousands of ordinary people have died at the hands of you, you eunuch dog! You greedy and wicked scoundrel, everyone has the right to kill you."

Zhu Yin waved his hand with a look of disgust, and the crowd immediately escorted Qiu Chengyun into the city.

Hao Yunlai took out an account book from his pocket. "Zhihu, this is Qiu Chengyun's account book. He alone has more than 2.6 million taels of silver, and he brought it all with him this time."

Hao Yunlai was clever; he knew the accounts couldn't be kept from Zhu Yin unless he secretly killed Qiu Chengyun to silence him. Rather than embezzle or misappropriate money, he figured it was better to tell the truth and take nothing.

Gaining Zhu Yin's trust meant easy access to high-ranking official positions and generous salaries.

Zhu Yin glanced at the accounts and smiled meaningfully, "Brother Huaji, you're too kind. It's really a waste of your talents to be a prefect."

Qiu Chengyun knew perfectly well how much silver he had. Hao Yunlai's account book was genuine; there was no falsification.

Upon hearing this, Hao Yunlai immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Very good. Zhihu has already hinted that he will give him a satisfactory official position. What kind of position is it? It should be at least a fourth-rank official in the capital, or perhaps a provincial governor?
I'm really looking forward to it.

Zhu Yin ordered Qiu Chengyun to be taken to the Ministry of Justice prison, and then took Hao Yunlai and Qin Liangyu back to his residence.

Along the way, Qin Liangyu and Hao Yunlai were both surprised and delighted to see that the city was orderly and prosperous as before, the military might on the city walls was imposing, and the warships on the river were as numerous as mountains.

Zhihu is indeed shrewd. In just one month, he has made Nanjing an impregnable fortress. It seems the Southern Dynasty's rule is secure, or at least it will be divided along the Yangtze River.

Upon arriving at the main hall of the mansion, Ning Caiwei immediately greeted Qin Liangyu personally, and the two chatted together. Zhu Yin, however, left Hao Yunlai behind and went straight to the point:

“Brother Huaji, there’s an official position I’d like to reserve for you; you’re perfect for it.”

He then chuckled and said, "Brother Huaji, can you guess what new position you'll be taking up?"

Hao Yunlai's heart suddenly raced. Overwhelmed by anxiety and uncertainty, he became somewhat uneasy and even restrained. He put down his teacup and asked, "Is it the Provincial Governor or the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner?"

Zhu Yin shook his head.

Hao Yunlai asked again, "Could it be the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices?"

Zhu Yin shook his head again.

Hao Yunlai's expression brightened slightly, his anticipation rising even higher. "Could it be the Vice Censor-in-Chief? Or the Governor?"

Zhu Yin shook his head again, then held up four fingers and said, "Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou!"

What? The Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou?

Hao Yunlai was stunned. The position of Governor-General far exceeded his expectations. He had originally thought that at most he would be a Vice Censor-in-Chief or a Governor.

Who knew it was the governor!

But Zhu Yin continued, "The Imperial Commissioner is the Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou, with the additional titles of Vice Minister of War and Vice Censor-in-Chief, and is also granted the title of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, and is awarded the Imperial Sword and the Imperial Decree Flag!"

Hao Yunlai was overjoyed, but before he could rejoice for long, a question suddenly occurred to him: Weren't Yunnan and Guizhou provinces not yet under their control? Why would a Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou be appointed?

...

P.S.: Prefect Hao suddenly became the Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou! Thanks for your support, goodnight! That's all for today, I have a headache. Please vote!
(End of this chapter)