I founded a heavy industry group in the late Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 179 Man proposes, God disposes.

Chapter 178 The mobilization of more than 20,000 Da Ning New Army troops failed to uncover Chen Boying's true military strategy, which made Nurhaci somewhat irritated. He had fought battles all his life and was always invincible, but he had suffered a great loss at the hands of Chen Boying.

Chen Boying's Shahe New Army was a completely different kind of army from the other Ming armies. They possessed the tenacious fighting spirit of Qi Jiguang's army, but were also armed to the teeth. Their equipment even far surpassed that of the most elite Imperial Guards of the Ming Dynasty. These 20,000-strong army would be enough to overwhelm Chen Boying no matter which place he attacked in Liaodong.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Nurhaci currently has over 100,000 mobile troops at his disposal, and could even squeeze out 120,000 if he grits his teeth. The problem is that the Jurchens control a vast territory. Nominally, their easternmost region extends to Sakhalin Island, their westernmost region to the Liao River, their southern region to the Yalu River, and their northern region to the Heilongjiang River. Their actual controlled area exceeds two million square kilometers. Within such a large controlled area, even if he had only a few hundred thousand troops, or even if he had increased that number tenfold to 1.2 million, the land would still be sparsely populated, and his military strength would be severely limited.

Nurhaci had considered that Chen Boying might attack the four prefectures in southern Liaoning, but the problem was that he had already deployed a large force in southern Liaoning, and the defending general was Yangguli, a famous general of the Jin Dynasty.

Yangguli, a native of Hunchun, was the son of Langzhu, the leader of the Kurka tribe. Nurhaci greatly valued Yangguli, and he followed Nurhaci closely, gaining increasing trust. Later, Nurhaci even married his daughter to Yangguli, making him his son-in-law. After Liu Aita's defection, Yangguli served as the commander-in-chief of the four towns in southern Liaodong. His position within the Jurchen was exceptional, second only to the Beile.

It was precisely because Yangguli was in Liaonan that Nurhaci felt very secure there. Although Yangguli's troops were not the elite of the Eight Banners, they were the trained soldiers of the Donghai and Haixi Jurchens. These trained soldiers referred to untamed female warriors who had not yet been fully subdued.

Indeed, they lived in poverty but possessed a tenacious fighting spirit. In terms of combat power, they were not only not weaker than the elite Eight Banners troops, but were even stronger. They could no longer be considered human; they could be called fighting machines.

Seeing Nurhaci's gaze fixed on him, Daishan hurriedly asked, "Could it be because of those southern barbarians? Chen Boying has opened a large shipyard in Lushun—"

Mangultai said impatiently, "There's no need to mobilize 20,000 troops to Lushun. Does he intend to attack Jinzhou?"

However, no one realized at the time that Mangultai's unintentional remark had hit the nail on the head: Chen Ying actually really wanted to attack Zhenjinzhou.

Nurhaci shook his head and said, "He can't possibly attack Jinzhou. At this time of year, the Liao River is frozen, and their navy can't enter it. Our Jin cavalry can cross the ice to support southern Liaozhou at any time. Even if he wanted to attack, he wouldn't choose this time!"

Nurhaci was unaware that Chen Ying's true purpose was to prevent Gao Di from being temporarily appointed as the governor of Jiliao after Sun Chengzong resigned and the court changed commanders.

"He doesn't even need to cut off the Liao River. He only needs to head north from Lushun, advancing step by step. In three days at most, he can reach Jinzhou Garrison. With the current two thousand men in Jinzhou Garrison, I'm afraid they can't hold off Chen Boying's twenty thousand troops!"

Nurhaci pondered for a moment, and he also thought that Huang Taiji's words made some sense: "The four prefectures in southern Liaoning are already weak in terms of military strength. Haizhou has no more than four thousand soldiers, Gaizhou has less than a thousand, and the city walls of Jinzhou and Fuzhou are damaged and unrepaired in many places. If Chen Boying lands at Lushun and occupies Nanguanling, the entire southern Liaoning peninsula will fall into his hands, and the heartland of the Jin Dynasty will never have peace again. Immediately order Haizhou to speed up the repair of its defenses and strengthen its city walls. Send two Niru (units of troops) from each banner to reinforce Gaizhou. Order the post stations along the way to closely monitor the Ming army's movements."

"Any unusual activity must be reported immediately!"

Two Niru were drawn from each banner, which amounted to 4,800 men. In southern Liaoning, this was a respectable force for Chen Boying.

Meanwhile, inside the warm pavilion of the Qianqing Palace in Beijing, a charcoal fire was burning brightly, effectively keeping out the harsh winter cold of the twelfth lunar month.

This was the fifth time Emperor Tianqi (Zhu Youxiao) had hosted a banquet for Sun Chengzong since Sun returned to the capital, a favor that made Wei Zhongxian extremely jealous.

"Master Sun, you've worked so hard. Liaodong is bitterly cold. Even I feel cold in the capital. I feel really bad that you, at your age, are still going to the border."

The Tianqi Emperor personally poured wine for Sun Chengzong, which deeply moved Sun Chengzong. He accepted the wine cup with both hands and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty is too kind. This old minister is honored by the Emperor's bounty and must be loyal to the Emperor. No matter how cold Liaodong is, it cannot compare to the hardships our soldiers endure guarding the border. Moreover, this cup of wine from Your Majesty has not only warmed my body but also my heart."

The Tianqi Emperor laughed, like a triumphant child.

He is only twenty-two years old this year, but he has been sitting on the dragon throne for six years. The old foxes in the court always say that he is obsessed with carpentry and neglects state affairs, but only those close to him know that the country in this young emperor's heart is no less than that of his grandfather, Emperor Wanli, and even a hundred times more than that of his father.

The emperor and his ministers drank and chatted merrily, and Wei Zhongxian couldn't get a word in edgewise. He was extremely jealous, but it seemed that his standing in the emperor's heart ultimately couldn't compare to that of the imperial tutor. Thinking of this, Wei Zhongxian unconsciously gripped his whisk tightly, just as Chen Boying had said...

Therefore, with the Emperor's favor, impeaching Sun Chengzong is truly useless. Sun Chengzong must be kept in Ningyuan, preferably frozen or dying of illness there.

The Tianqi Emperor, unable to keep secrets, told Sun Chengzong about Chen Boying's plan to conquer Liaonan and asked Sun Chengzong if it was feasible.

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzong's expression grew slightly more serious. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Your Majesty, please observe. The area from Lushunkou to Nanguanling is long and narrow, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. If Chen Boying occupies this area, he can cross Liaoxi and directly drive a thorn in the side of the Jurchens. At that time, he and Mao Wenlong's Dongjiang Army will form a pincer movement, leaving Nurhaci vulnerable from both sides—but—"

"Just what?"

"However, although Chen Boying is ambitious, his abilities are truly outstanding. I have observed him in Liaodong for a long time, and his methods of training troops and governing the army are far superior to those of ordinary Ming generals. His Da Ning New Army is disciplined and well-equipped. If used properly, it will be a sharp weapon for our Great Ming to deal with the Jurchens. However, he needs someone to check him. I suggest that we support Mao Wenlong appropriately so that he and Chen Boying can check each other. Such a balance of power is the prudent approach."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian suddenly wanted to laugh. Chen Boying was still defending Sun Chengzong, but he didn't expect that the old man Sun Chengzong would actually slander Chen Boying.

Just then, a young eunuch carried in a bowl of ginseng soup. As he passed the entrance to the warm pavilion, for some reason, his hand slipped, and the bowl of ginseng soup was spilled on the ground.

"Bang----"

The ginseng soup splashed everywhere, and the soup bowl shattered into pieces.

Wei Zhongxian was already in a bad mood, and seeing how useless this little eunuch was, he roared, "What a piece of trash! Guards, seize him and beat him with sticks!"

Tianqi hurriedly stood up and said, "Wait, Wei Banban, this is a human life after all—"

"Your Majesty, this little servant girl has made a mistake. She may be spared the death penalty, but she will not escape punishment. Take her away and give her twenty heavy lashes!"

"Yes, sir!"

The two imperial eunuchs thanked His Majesty for sparing their lives and thanked Eunuch Wei for sparing their lives.

The young eunuch, having narrowly escaped death, broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing that it was getting late, Sun Chengzong rose to take his leave: "Your Majesty, this old minister takes his leave!"

"Very well, Master Sun. I will summon you to the palace again tomorrow. I still have much to ask you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Sun Chengzong thanked the emperor and bowed as he withdrew from the warm pavilion. Wei Zhongxian quickly stepped forward to help Tianqi up, saying solicitously, "Your Majesty, please slow down, the ground is slippery—"

Tianqi waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to follow, and then turned and walked towards the inner hall.

Wei Zhongxian hurried after him. He had to see Sun Chengzong off, not for any other reason than to make a show for the emperor.

"Grand Secretary Sun, please take care."

Wei Zhongxian, all smiles, hurried forward: "It's cold outside and the roads are slippery. I'll have someone escort you."

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Wei."

Sun Chengzong stared coldly at Wei Zhongxian, wishing he could devour him. However, the problem was that Sun Chengzong hadn't paid attention to his footing. On the bluestone ground beneath his feet, a small eunuch had just spilled a pot of hot soup. Although the eunuchs had already cleaned up the shards, in this season where breath turns to ice, the soup spilled on the ground quickly froze into a layer of ice. Sun Chengzong was warning Wei Zhongxian with his eyes, but then he stepped onto the ice. There was almost no friction between the sole of his shoe and the ice, and he instantly lost his balance.

"Grand Secretary!"

The young eunuch cried out in surprise and reached out to help, but it was too late.

Sun Chengzong's body suddenly leaned backward. He instinctively reached out to support himself, but he had drunk quite a bit of alcohol. His mind went to work, but his reach was a beat too slow. A dull thud echoed in the empty passageway.

He landed on the back of his head, and before he could even utter a cry of alarm, he crashed heavily onto the bluestone floor. After the muffled thud, the passageway fell into a brief, deathly silence.

"Grand Secretary! Grand Secretary!"

The eunuchs' voices trembled with fear, and Wei Zhongxian was also stunned, standing there frozen for a good ten breaths before he suddenly...

He reacted instantly. He rushed forward and saw Sun Chengzong lying face up on the cold stone slab, eyes closed, face deathly pale. A trickle of blood slowly seeped from the back of his head, meandering across the bluestone slab, a horrifying sight.

"Quickly! Summon the imperial physician!"

Wei Zhongxian shouted in a shrill voice, "Guards! Quickly, guards! Bring the palanquin here! Hurry!"

The eunuchs were in a panic. Some rushed to call the imperial physician, while others hurriedly tried to lift the palanquin.

Wei Zhongxian squatted down and tremblingly reached out to check Sun Chengzong's breath. Fortunately, Sun Chengzong was still breathing, but his breathing was rapid and weak. He was overjoyed. If Sun Chengzong hadn't fallen like that, and had continued to talk nonsense in front of Emperor Tianqi, not only would Chen Boying have been in trouble, but he might have been in trouble too.

He was determined to kill Chen Boying. There were only twenty-one commanders of the prestigious Da Ning Commandery in the Ming Dynasty, and the Da Ning Commandery had the fewest garrisons under its jurisdiction. Even the Henan Commandery, with fewer garrisons, had twelve garrisons under its command. What ambition did Chen Boying have? He was just like him, who loved making money.

"Did Master Sun fall?"

The Tianqi Emperor asked incredulously, "What's going on? What's going on? Someone tell me!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. That little eunuch just now spilled the ginseng soup on the ground, and the ground was icy. Grand Secretary Sun—he slipped and fell!" The Tianqi Emperor's expression changed drastically: "What are you all standing there for! Quickly carry him inside! Where is the imperial physician! Call the imperial physician!"

A group of people hurriedly lifted Sun Chengzong onto a palanquin and carefully escorted him into a side hall. The Tianqi Emperor followed behind, his steps unsteady and his face ashen.

That night, the side hall of Qianqing Palace was brightly lit until dawn.

The imperial physicians took turns examining him, each with a grave expression. Sun Chengzong's head injury was extremely severe, and it was still impossible to determine whether his skull was fractured. He remained unconscious. Emperor Tianqi sat in the outer hall, waiting silently, while Wei Zhongxian knelt beside him, not daring to utter a sound.

As dawn broke, the imperial physician emerged trembling to report: "Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Sun—his injuries are very serious, and I fear—I fear he will not be able to get up for some time. We have done our best; whether he wakes up or not depends on his own fate—"

Tianqi suddenly stood up, his lips trembling a few times, but in the end he didn't utter a single word.

He was too kind-hearted; he didn't blame the imperial physician or the little eunuch.

Chen Ying stayed on Pi Island for three days, discussing detailed operational procedures with Mao Wenlong. The first batch of grain, totaling 8,500 shi (a unit of dry measure), was to be shipped from Lushun, enough to feed the soldiers and civilians on Pi Island for a few days. Just as Chen Ying was preparing to return from Pi Island, he received news from the capital.

"My lord, an urgent report from the capital."

Chen Ying accepted the secret letter. It was an urgent report from the Military Intelligence Department of the Da Ning Commandery. Thanks to the political struggle between Wei Zhongxian and the Donglin Party, there was also turmoil within the Embroidered Uniform Guard. For example, Liu Qiao, the Northern Garrison Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was dismissed from his post. After his dismissal, a large number of Embroidered Uniform Guard centurions and chiliarchs who had good relations with Liu Qiao lost their jobs.

Chen Ying utilized these unemployed Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) to establish the Military Intelligence Department, which was subordinate to the Da Ning Commandery. At this time, the Military Intelligence Department had just been established and had few personnel. The highest-ranking official was Le Xichuan, a centurion under the Jinyiwei Dongcheng Qianhu Office.

Le Sichuan's busiest task at this time was not to spy on military affairs, but to dig up dirt on Donglin Party officials. However, with his own intelligence channels, his information was more timely.

"Sun Chengzong fell and was seriously injured; he is now unconscious."

Chen Ying was speechless after seeing the news. He persuaded Wei Zhongxian not to kill Sun Chengzong, persuaded Sun Chengzong not to resign, and persuaded the Tianqi Emperor.

But man proposes, God disposes.

Sun Chengzong is the most important piece in this game of chess; no, it should be said that Sun Chengzong is the chessboard itself.

He didn't actually want to fight the Jurchens at this time. Chen Ying's strongest asset right now was his navy. As long as the ice and snow melted and his navy could penetrate deep into the Liao River, the Jurchens' mobility advantage would disappear. But the problem was, Sun Chengzong still got into trouble.

Although he did not resign, a man in his sixties who had suffered such a serious injury could certainly not continue to serve as the Governor-General of Jiliao, and the imperial court could not allow Sun Chengzong to work while ill.

But now, Sun Chengzong has fallen. What the hell is this? Everything is back to square one. All that work he did was for nothing.