Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 106 The monarch reigns undisturbed, while his ministers scramble for power.

……

Sun Chengzong said, enunciating each word clearly:

"He curbed his tyranny, appeased the Han people, vigorously promoted politics, and reformed domestic affairs. He is truly a great enemy of our Ming Dynasty."

"Fortunately, as Your Majesty said, the four princes jointly govern the region, which ultimately serves as a hindrance to it."

"What we are doing now is precisely to assist the other princes and suppress Huang Taiji!"

Zhu Youjian nodded heavily.

“Master Sun is absolutely right.”

Zhu Youjian stared at Sun Chengzong and said, word by word:

"Since ancient times, nomadic tribes without culture have been feared. They are nothing more than locusts passing through, which may wreak havoc for a while, but they cannot last long."

"On the contrary, those nomadic tribes that have undergone some Sinicization and learned our systems and tactics are the most terrifying at the beginning of their rise."

"The Song dynasty, the Liao and Jin dynasties, and the Mongol Yuan dynasty that followed all followed the same pattern."

He hesitated for a moment, briefly weighing the blood and tears behind this order in his mind, but finally spoke resolutely:
"Therefore, within the Later Jin, whoever appeases the Han people, whoever wants to change the Han system, is our enemy!"

"Whoever is violent towards the Han people, and whoever is willing to uphold tribal traditions, is our friend!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly.

The autumn sun was still warm, but Sun Chengzong felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, making this old man, who had experienced many ups and downs, feel a chill run down his spine.

He suddenly stood up, not because of excitement, but because of a deep-seated shock and fear.

He looked at the young emperor before him, whose handsome face held no hint of a joke.

In those deep eyes, there was only a cold, unquestionable determination.

These are the words of an emperor.

That's an even more domineering statement!

Sun Chengzong's lips trembled slightly. He wanted to say something, but found that any words would seem pale and powerless in the face of such a naked political declaration.

He took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and then, to Zhu Youjian's astonishment, he slowly but firmly knelt down and performed a full prostration before Zhu Youjian.

"Master Sun, what are you doing! Please get up!"

Zhu Youjian was shocked and quickly got up to help him.

However, when his hand touched Sun Chengzong's shoulder, it felt as if he were leaning on a mountain, and he couldn't move an inch!

Sun Chengzong, prostrate on the ground, spoke in a solemn, even sorrowful tone:
"Your Majesty, the sage reigns undisturbed, demonstrating the righteous path to the world; your subjects should strive to act swiftly and decisively for your sovereign!"

"Such...such treacherous and dangerous acts that damage one's virtue are the duty of a subject, not the responsibility of a ruler! I beg Your Majesty to conceal the thunder in the heavens and leave all the wind and rain to me!"

"Your Majesty, I implore you never to utter such words again!"

His voice echoed in the hall, each word seemingly uttered with all his might.

Zhu Youjian's hand froze in mid-air.

He looked at the old man lying on the ground, his white hair pressed against the cold gold bricks, and was momentarily shocked.

Sun Chengzong was not opposing his strategy.

On the contrary, he used this most intense method to express his most complete support for himself.

He wanted to take all the blame for this inhumanity and injustice, this infamy of seeking favors with a tiger, upon himself, in order to preserve his holy name as a king.

An emperor should act with benevolence and integrity.

As for the ministers, they should fill in the dark corners that the kingly way cannot reach, using every means possible.

This is Sun Chengzong's "Dao".

An old minister's deepest and most profound loyalty to his king.

Zhu Youjian was actually somewhat bewildered.

As a modern person, he could not truly understand the pursuit of so-called "monarchical virtues" by the civil officials of this era.

—Look at the US presidents of later generations, what virtues do they have to speak of?

The rulers of later generations have long since torn off all masks of tenderness and affection, leaving only the law of the jungle!

But it doesn't matter, Zhu Youjian fully understands what kind of performance he should make at this moment.

He slowly withdrew his hand, took a step back, and solemnly and deeply bowed to Sun Chengzong, who was lying on the ground.

"Master Sun, I... I humbly accept your instruction."

……

After a short while, the emperor and his minister sat back down on the brocade stools. "Regarding the matter of Liu Xingzuo, does Master Sun think we should recall him?" Zhu Youjian's voice returned to its calm tone.

Sun Chengzong pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have been away from my post for a long time, and things outside the pass can change in an instant. I need to inquire about the person's current situation again after I take office before I can make a judgment. We must not be too hasty."

Zhu Youjian nodded in agreement. "Good. I will have Gao Shiming prepare several blank imperial edicts and appointment certificates for you later. If there are any promises of official positions, Master Sun can handle them on the spot without having to ask for permission for every matter."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!" Sun Chengzong bowed slightly.

"Among those four princes, which one should we start with?" Zhu Youjian asked again.

This time, Sun Chengzong wore a wry smile.

"Your Majesty, this is truly a difficult question for this old minister. I have been out of office for more than two years, which is enough time to change many things. I really cannot answer all of Your Majesty's questions."

Zhu Youjian laughed and didn't press the matter further.

He knew he had been too hasty.

He turned and waved to Gao Shiming, who had been standing by his side.

Gao Shiming understood and immediately took out a small sandalwood box that had been prepared beforehand from his sleeve, and bowed to hand it over.

Zhu Youjian took the wooden box and handed it to Sun Chengzong.

“General Sun, frontline military affairs cannot all be discussed in public.”

"The same applies to espionage, and also to investigating corruption and rectifying malpractices."

"I have ordered Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to select more than ten elite flag officers to accompany you to your post. On ordinary days, they will serve as your personal guards."

"But if you have something that cannot be said openly and is inconvenient to put into official documents, you may choose one of your people to take this box to the capital overnight and go directly to the palace to see me."

Zhu Youjian took a small brass key from his waist and waved it in front of Sun Chengzong.

"You keep one key to this box, and I keep the other. Master Sun, you can rest assured to report anything."

Sun Chengzong stared at the sandalwood box before him, his mind in turmoil.

As a scholar-official deeply influenced by Confucianism, he adhered to the principle of "nothing is off-limits to others" throughout his life.

To engage in such clandestine and secretive activities contradicts his lifelong beliefs.

but……

The situation in Liaodong is complex and intertwined, with military intelligence, personal feelings, interests, and grudges all intertwined like a tangled mess.

Indeed, there are too many things that cannot be made public in the court or in front of everyone.

He was struggling intensely inside.

Ultimately, a tactful and pragmatic mindset prevailed.

He slowly extended his hands and solemnly accepted the small wooden box.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail to live up to your grace!"

……

Once the matter was settled, Sun Chengzong took his leave.

Zhu Youjian personally escorted him to the entrance of the main hall, watching his elderly yet still upright figure disappear around the corner of the palace.

After a long while, Zhu Youjian turned around and couldn't help but shake his head in self-deprecation.

He had previously thought that even if the generals at the front lines were to engage in espionage activities such as raiding cities or counter-espionage, they would still be able to get away with it.

But such a systematic plot to overthrow an enemy country and manipulate people's hearts is something that probably few people in the entire Ming Dynasty would use.

Anyway, when he read history books in his later years, he didn't see many people from the Ming Dynasty using such methods.

Looking back now, I realize how naive I was.

On this land where power struggles have unfolded for five thousand years, what kind of stories haven't happened? What kind of methods haven't been used?
He had truly taken these cunning old foxes who had spent their entire lives navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom for fools.

Whatever.

A relieved smile appeared on Zhu Youjian's lips.

As long as things get done, I'm not afraid of this little embarrassment.

He turned his head and looked at Gao Shiming, who had been standing quietly, his gaze becoming clear and firm again.

"Gao Banban" (高伴伴).

"Let all those tabloid editors that Wang Tiqian found come in."

—If I can't outsmart the Ming Dynasty spies, surely I can outsmart the newspapers!

(End of this chapter)