The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Chapter 83 The Japanese pirates must be eradicated.

"The land of Daning was pacified by the army during the reign of Emperor Taizu Gao. It took countless manpower and resources to establish military commands, set up garrisons, build city walls, and store grain and fodder to build a solid defense line in the north!"

Daming is the gateway to the northern frontier. If it falls, Liaodong and Xuanfu will be isolated, and Beiping will be in danger!

Emperor Taizu Gaozu famously said that the land of Daming was intended to control the northern barbarians and connect the east and west. Now, Your Majesty has issued a decree to relocate the soldiers and civilians of the garrisons to Baoding, leaving them to be occupied by the Doyan Three Guards. Is this an attempt to abandon the territory conquered by Emperor Taizu?

Zhu Di glanced at Lin Yue, who was speaking righteously and brimming with anger, his face darkening slightly. He said coldly, "You are mistaken! My actions are in accordance with the late Emperor Taizu's instructions and are adapted to local conditions."

In the third year of the Jingnan Rebellion, the war was incessant and the national treasury was empty. Daming was a thousand miles away from the capital, and tens of thousands of laborers had to be conscripted to transport supplies. Two or three out of ten of them died along the way. How could I let the people suffer because of a single garrison?

Military tactics are not fixed, just as water has no constant shape. This action is not an abandonment of land, but rather an adaptation to the prevailing circumstances.

"That's sophistry and utter nonsense!" Lin Yue retorted angrily without backing down.

"The Doyan Three Guards are the Uriyangha tribe, fickle and unpredictable. They once submitted to the Yuan court, but later surrendered to Emperor Taizu. Although they assisted Your Majesty during the Jingnan Campaign, their intentions are unfathomable!"

Those who are not of our race are bound to have different hearts. Your Majesty's bestowal of titles upon such foreigners, abandoning the territory that the founding emperor earned with his blood and sweat, is completely contrary to the founding emperor's last instructions!

His Majesty just said that we should uphold the ancestral teachings of the founding emperor and be a wise and virtuous ruler!

Emperor Taizu Gao spent his life fighting, expanding the territory, and driving out the barbarians, all to protect the people of the Great Ming and safeguard the land of China!

Now Your Majesty is doing the opposite, moving garrisons inland and bestowing titles upon foreign tribes. How can the people of the northern frontier feel at ease? How can the blood of generations of soldiers who guarded the border rest in peace?

How can such actions comfort the spirit of our late father? How can we face the people of the world?!

Is Your Majesty's title of sage ruler merely empty words, while in reality you intend to reward your relatives and, for your own selfish gain, usurp the throne?!

At the court assembly, all the officials were so frightened by Lin Yue's sharp words that they fell silent, bowing their heads and daring not to utter a sound.

I'm terrified, you know? Only Lin Yue would dare to say something like that. Anyone else who did that would definitely lose their head.

Furthermore, wasn't Lin Yue critically ill? How come he's suddenly lively and cursing the emperor at court? What about the matter of him arbitrarily killing officials?

Zhu Di's expression changed repeatedly as he sat on the throne, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Yue below the steps.

Zhu Di suddenly regretted it. If he had known he would be scolded again, he would have preferred not to treat Lin Yue.

He took three deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the surging anger in his heart. This Lin Yue really had the guts of a bear and the courage of a leopard, daring to rebuke the emperor so harshly in the court. But after all, he was the minister whom he had pulled back from the brink of death by defying public opinion, so now he could only grit his teeth and defend himself.

"Lin Yue'er, stop spreading alarmist rumors! The Imperial Ancestral Instructions clearly state that we should treat all people equally and govern both Chinese and barbarians equally." Now that the Doyan Three Guards have surrendered, I will treat them with kindness and bestow upon them titles. They will surely guard the northern border for me.

This is the strategy of using barbarians to control barbarians. Emperor Taizu also used this strategy to pacify the southwestern barbarians. How can it be considered abandoning territory?

Lin Yue suddenly looked up, his voice rising: "Why does Your Majesty deceive yourself!"

When Emperor Taizu enfeoffed surrendered generals, he would always strip them of their military power and relocate their troops to the interior, leaving them without any troops at their side. But today, Your Majesty has bestowed official titles and ranks upon the Three Guards of Doyan, rewarded their troops, and even abandoned the strategically important city of Daming. This is like letting a tiger return to the mountains; where is the restraint, and where is the use of barbarians to control barbarians?

Lin Yue's voice resounded throughout the palace, his piercing gaze sweeping over the officials.

"Does Your Majesty know about the events surrounding Emperor Wu of Liang in the Southern Dynasties? Xiao Yan took in Hou Jing, a rebel general from the Eastern Wei, promising him high-ranking positions and generous rewards, and granting him fiefdoms, thinking he had gained a fierce general. But what was the result?"

Hou Jing launched a rebellion, captured Jiankang, starved Emperor Wu of Liang to death, turned the fertile fields of Jiangnan into scorched earth, and wiped out the aristocratic families. The Southern Dynasties never recovered from this point on!

Emperor Wu of Liang once said, "If Jing is obtained, the northern frontier can be pacified." Now Your Majesty says, "The Three Guards of Doyan will surely fight to the death." How similar are these words to those of Emperor Wu of Liang?

"Let's look at the An Lushan Rebellion! Emperor Xuanzong favored the Hu man An Lushan, appointing him as the military governor of Fanyang, Pinglu, and Hedong, giving him control of hundreds of thousands of troops and allowing him to appoint his own officials and collect taxes."

As a result, An Lushan became too powerful to control, rebelled, captured Chang'an, and engaged in burning, killing, and looting. The Tang Dynasty went from prosperity to decline, and the disaster of regional separatism lasted for a century!

An Lushan's rebellion began with excessive favor and power. Today, the Three Guards of Doyan, wielding considerable military strength and occupying Daming, bear a striking resemblance to An Lushan in his time.

Lin Yue's voice grew increasingly sorrowful, filled with grief and indignation: "The fall of the Former Song Dynasty lasted only a little over a hundred years!"

Emperors Huizong and Qinzong trusted the Jurchens and ceded territory to sue for peace. In the end, Bianliang fell, the two emperors were captured, and 100,000 soldiers and civilians drowned themselves in the sea, and the land of China was submerged!

The Doyan Three Guards are a foreign and barbarian state. Although their efforts to quell the rebellion are in Your Majesty's favor, they are driven by self-interest!

Today Your Majesty bestows favor upon him, and he will abandon Prince Ning to assist Your Majesty. Tomorrow, when his power is fully grown, he will be able to collude with the Tatars and Oirats, abandoning Your Majesty to aid the rebels.

If the Three Guards of Doyan betray us, the northern frontier defense line will collapse. At that time, it will likely cost hundreds of thousands, even millions, of soldiers their lives to recapture Daming!

Lin Yue bowed solemnly and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I implore you to rescind your decree and refrain from making this grave mistake that will harm the entire nation!"

Zhu Di was speechless after being rebuked by his words, but deep down he felt that Lin Yue's words seemed to make some sense.

Since the Three Guards of Duoyan were able to betray Prince Ning, it would be quite normal for them to betray Prince Yan in the future.

But why didn't he think of that before? Did he become arrogant after becoming emperor?

Zhu Di rubbed his temples and sighed, "What Minister Lin said makes some sense."

I do not intend to abandon our territory, but this is a matter of national importance, and a single misstep can have far-reaching consequences, so I have no choice but to take this expedient measure.

Since you are so opposed to this, how do you think this matter should be handled?

Lin Yue thought for a moment and quickly came up with many solutions from history.

"Your Majesty's decision to change the title of Prince Ning and weaken his guards is something I have no objection to. Rewarding the three guards of Doyan for their merits in pacifying the rebellion is also appropriate, and I do not object to that either."

"The methods just need to be slightly changed!"

He spoke eloquently: "The leaders of the Three Guards of Doyan, such as Tuoluhuchaer, are loyal ministers and good generals. Why does Your Majesty not reward them even more generously?"

He was ordered to personally go to the capital to receive the reward, and His Majesty personally conferred upon him the positions of Grand Commandant and Commander-in-Chief. Furthermore, his sons and younger brothers were permitted to study at the Imperial Academy and become future scholars of the nation.

The imperial court then established numerous preferential markets in Liaodong Commandery, Kaiyuan, Guangning, and other places, allowing the local herders to exchange horses and furs for silk, tea, and ironware from the Central Plains. This practice of generous gifts in return ensured that their people depended on the Ming Dynasty for their livelihood.

"In this way, the Han and Hu peoples will coexist peacefully, the Ming Dynasty's influence will be extended, the herdsmen will rely on trade, and the Three Guards of Doyan will be under the control of our Great Ming. Why worry about their rebellion?"

Lin Yue cupped his hands and said, "Once the national treasury is full, our Great Ming will then promote the Virtuous Teachings and gradually relocate its people inland. This is the long-term strategy of proceeding slowly and steadily, which will both fulfill His Majesty's benevolence and power and safeguard the vital northern border. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di nodded slowly.

Lin Yue's method sounds pretty good, but it's a bit too expensive.

After a moment's thought, Emperor Yongle once again resorted to delaying tactics.

He pondered for a moment and said, "This matter concerns the stability of the northern frontier; we will decide on it later."

Upon seeing this, Hou Xian immediately stepped forward and said loudly.

"If there is something to report, then report it; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

Meeting Zhu Di's gaze, Lin Yue had no intention of backing down. He took out a prepared memorial from his sleeve and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I have another matter to report, concerning the safety of Jiangnan. I humbly request Your Majesty's consideration!"

Seeing this, Zhu Di waved his hand helplessly: "You, you never let me have a moment's peace of mind."

"Speak, is there anything else?"

Lin Yue raised the memorial with both hands and said loudly, "Your Majesty, the Japanese pirates in Jiangnan are rampant and have reached a point where there is no time to lose!"

Just as the Jiangnan region was reeling from the devastating floods that left its people displaced, Japanese pirates seized the opportunity to invade. In Taicang and Jiading counties of Suzhou Prefecture, villages were burned, women and children were abducted, and all food and supplies were looted.

Even worse, some dared to destroy His Majesty's shrine and trample on his sacred image. This not only harms the people but also shows contempt for the court and desecrates imperial power. Such crimes are unforgivable!

"Without eliminating the Japanese pirates, there will be no peace in Jiangnan. If Jiangnan is not at peace, the people will be restless. How can Your Majesty's love for the people be demonstrated? How can the might of the Great Ming Dynasty awe the four directions?"

Lin Yue declared his request for battle with a resounding voice: "I believe that the scourge of the Japanese pirates must be eradicated!"

Your humble servant is willing to request permission to accompany Eunuch Zheng He to Jiangnan to oversee the navy, strengthen coastal defenses, and suppress Japanese pirates.

I hereby pledge that if I fail to quell the Japanese pirates and pacify the people during this expedition, I will execute the ringleaders who colluded with them as a warning to others.

Your Majesty may behead me and hang my head at the coastal city gates to appease the people!

"No!"

Before he finished speaking, Song Li, the Minister of Works, stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I believe this move is inappropriate! The Yongle Emperor has just been established, and the national treasury is empty. Since the Hongwu era, the disaster relief efforts for the floods in Jiangnan have cost one million taels of silver, and officials' salaries have been converted into paper money by 60%. The treasury reserves in the capital only have more than two million four hundred thousand taels of silver left, which is only enough to support the defense of the capital region and daily expenses."

If we were to launch another campaign to suppress the Japanese pirates, the costs of provisions, military pay, and warship repairs would be enormous, a burden the imperial court simply could not afford!

At this time, Xia Yuanji, the Vice Minister of Revenue, was not present, and Yu Xinnian, the Minister of Revenue, was old and frail. Only Yu Xinnian, the Minister of Works who was in charge of money, could oppose the move.

Song Li continued, "Jiangnan has just suffered from floods, and the people have been displaced. If we mobilize troops to raise funds at this time, it may increase the burden on the people and cause unrest."

It would be better to postpone the military campaign until the national treasury is full and the people's livelihood has recovered, then we can plan the suppression of the Japanese pirates.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue was immediately displeased. He might be able to compromise on other matters, but how could he tolerate a slow and ineffective crackdown on the Japanese pirates? This was the most important thing for every transmigrator!

Bandits must be suppressed at all times, especially Japanese pirates.

Lin Yue glanced at the officials in the hall, thought about how to raise money and grain, and suddenly realized that it didn't seem so difficult.

He reached into the leather pouch at his waist and pulled out an object—a brass-cased, exquisitely crafted telescope—the very one that had just been made.

"Song Shangshu's point is simply that there is a shortage of money and grain, so what difficulty is there in raising military funds?"

He raised his binoculars and said loudly.

"Your Majesty, the Treasure Shipyard and the Liuli Factory have recently joined forces and successfully produced transparent glass, which they have used to make a telescope!"

This item is unique, capable of seeing for miles, making it invaluable for observing enemy formations and assessing coastal defenses. It is exceptionally precious!

"Transparent glass is extremely rare. If it is sold to wealthy merchants who are chasing after rare treasures, they will flock to it. One piece can sell for a thousand taels of silver, with a huge profit that is enough to support military needs!"

With sufficient funds to replenish the national treasury, why worry about a shortage of money and provisions for suppressing the Japanese pirates?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di became curious: "Oh? The telescope you mentioned before, can it be made now?"

"Lin Qing, tell me the details of what happened at Liulichang, and then bring out that telescope so I can take a look."

Lin Yue hesitated for a moment. Given Emperor Yongle's nature, once such rare treasures were presented, there was a high chance they would never be returned.

This was a groundbreaking product he had painstakingly created, and it was the first of its kind. He was a little reluctant to give it away like this.

Seeing that he was dawdling and unwilling to come forward, Zhu Di snorted coldly and suddenly changed the subject, showing concern for Lin Yue's health.

"Lin Qing, you've just recovered from a serious illness. How have you been feeling lately?"

The Imperial Pharmacy has just prepared some nourishing tonics, which are said to be especially beneficial for those recovering from serious illnesses. I intended to send some to you, but how could I have forgotten? I have truly neglected a loyal minister.

The Pharmacy? Lin Yue immediately recalled the tenderness and broad-mindedness in the side hall that night, as if it were right before his eyes.

Lin Yue immediately made a judgment, and respectfully stepped forward with the binoculars in hand, raising them high above his head.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have recovered considerably. Such a precious item as the telescope is naturally mine to present to Your Majesty."

Zhu Di nodded and chuckled. Not bad, not bad. Liking beautiful women is a good habit. I'll have a way to control this kid in the future.

He took the telescope; it was cold and heavy to the touch. Zhu Di looked down at it with great curiosity.

After a brief study, Emperor Yongle understood how to use it. He aimed it at a flagpole in the distance outside the palace, slowly adjusted the distance between the mirror tubes, and watched with great interest.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Zhu Di couldn't help but marvel and exclaim in admiration.

"This item is indeed incredibly useful! If used in the military, it can be used to assess the enemy's strengths and weaknesses before battle, and to identify distant ships in naval warfare. It is truly a powerful tool for defeating the enemy!"

He turned to look at Liu Jun, the Minister of War: "Minister Liu, look at this item. Issuing it to the border troops and the navy would be like adding wings to a tiger."

""

Liu Jun quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty is wise! If this item can be widely adopted, the military might of our Great Ming will surely be even greater."

If this resource can replenish the national treasury, then suppressing the pirates in Jiangnan would certainly be feasible.

Liu Jun truly lived up to his reputation as a veteran minister, demonstrating remarkable insight into the emperor's intentions. Zhu Di nodded in satisfaction, then waved to Hou Xian beside him.

Hou Xian understood immediately and stepped forward, loudly announcing, "Court is adjourned!"

Upon hearing this, all the officials bowed and took their leave.

Just as Lin Yue reached the palace entrance, he heard the high-pitched voice of a eunuch behind him.

"Lord Lin, please wait! His Majesty has ordered you to proceed to the Wenyuan Pavilion immediately to participate in a cabinet meeting!"

Lin Yue was overjoyed. It seemed that Zhu Di had truly taken the matter of suppressing the Japanese pirates to heart.

Zhu Di was quite good in this respect; he had a strong desire for external expansion. If he were to sow discord, people would be in for a treat.

He turned and followed the eunuch, hurrying towards the Wenyuan Pavilion. His previous unpleasantness had long since vanished, and he was filled with anticipation for his upcoming achievements.

The Wenyuan Pavilion is covered with yellow tiles, with towering brick walls and low-hanging eaves, exuding the solemnity and seclusion of the Forbidden Garden.

The eunuch led Lin Yue up the steps and into the palace. The cabinet ministers were already seated and waiting. Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Hu Guang and others were all familiar faces, dressed in court robes and with solemn expressions.

In the corner, Yao Guangxiao, dressed in a gray monk's robe, was stroking his prayer beads. When he saw Lin Yue enter, he merely glanced at her indifferently.

Lin Yue's gaze swept across the room, and he found that the cabinet was still the same people, except for Xie Jin. This highly talented cabinet minister was probably still imprisoned in the imperial prison because of the succession struggle and had not been able to get out. He hoped that Emperor Yongle would grant a general amnesty and release him.

"Lord Lin, please take a seat." The eunuch led the way softly and settled him in front of the table.

As soon as I sat down, I saw a figure in plain clothes carrying a tea tray slowly approaching. She was dressed in a blue robe and a white sash, and her movements were graceful and lively. It was Kuai Yue, the female official in charge of the pharmacy.