After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 112 The Liaodong War

During the morning court session, Yang Tinghe yawned repeatedly.

He stood among the court officials, his eyelids drooping, his mind foggy.

Although Yang Tingyi was teaching Liu Qing etiquette last night, he tossed and turned in his bedroom, unable to sleep, listening intently all night, afraid that something might go wrong.

Fortunately, the discussion at this morning's court session about the Liaodong war didn't involve the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, so we just had to listen.

Minister of War Liu Daxia reported: "Your Majesty, the three guards, including the Doyan, have invaded the six western forts of Liaoyang and the border repair area of ​​Haizhou, killing enemy officers, soldiers, and livestock with extreme cruelty. They have also attacked Qinghe and Xianchang, where they have amassed strongholds that refuse to disperse. Moreover, the recent blizzard has caused a disaster, and more than half of the fortresses have collapsed—"

The court was quiet; everyone listened intently, not daring to utter a sound.

Liu Daxia continued to report that the six western forts of Liaoyang and the various fortified villages of Changsheng had been breached by 8,000 Uriyangkhai cavalry, who engaged in widespread slaughter and looting, destroying people, livestock, and crops. The Ming army's defeat was not due to lax defenses, but rather to a devastating blizzard that caused the old fortresses to collapse under the weight of the snow. Without their defensive barriers, the Uriyangkhai cavalry could advance unimpeded, and the Ming army was powerless to stop them.

The Hongzhi Emperor sat on his throne, his face grim.

After listening quietly, he asked, "What are our casualties?"

Liu Daxia replied: "In total, 872 officers and soldiers were killed in battle at the six western forts of Liaoyang and the various forts of Changsheng. More than 1,200 soldiers and civilians were captured. More than 30,000 head of cattle and sheep were lost, and the loss of grain and supplies was incalculable."

The court was in an uproar.

More than 800 were killed in action and more than 1,000 were captured. This was only in the Xiliubao area of ​​Liaoyang.

The Hongzhi Emperor remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Why did the Uriyangkhai suddenly attack Liaodong?"

Liu Daxia replied, "Those who are not of our race will surely have different hearts! Although the Uriyangkhai Three Guards have been pacified by our Great Ming, they have always wavered between the Northern Yuan and our dynasty. Moreover, there are many small tribes under the Three Guards, and sometimes when the people below cause trouble, even the Uriyangkhai leaders cannot control them."

The words were phrased tactfully, but everyone present understood them clearly.

What's so uncontrollable is that they're turning a blind eye, or even secretly indulging it.

The Hongzhi Emperor leaned back on his throne and surveyed his ministers: "Gentlemen, what do you suggest? What should we do?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the court erupted in uproar.

"Your Majesty, these scoundrels must be taught a lesson by sending troops!"

"The Uriyangkhai have gone too far. If we don't retaliate, how can the Great Ming Dynasty maintain its dignity?"

"I second that proposal! We should immediately mobilize troops and deliver a crushing blow to the invading enemy!"

The officials were outraged, each one filled with righteous indignation.

Especially Wang Zongli, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, had the loudest voice, and his spittle flew everywhere.

"Yuanliang and the Three Guards should have been dealt with long ago! Back when Emperor Taizong was alive, we defeated them soundly. How many years have passed, and they dare to ride roughshod over our Great Ming? This cannot be allowed to continue, and this grudge must be avenged!"

He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, his voice echoing throughout the hall: "Your Majesty, I request permission to go to Liaodong to oversee the army in battle!"

The Hongzhi Emperor did not respond, but looked at Grand Secretary Liu Jian: "Minister Liu, what is your opinion?"

Liu Jian stepped forward, his face grave, and said, "Your Majesty, the Six Western Forts of Liaoyang are too far north. It is currently the dead of winter, and heavy snow has blocked the roads, making marching extremely difficult. If we wish to launch an attack, I fear it will be—"

"Grand Secretary Liu, what are you afraid of!"

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Zongli interrupted, "Our people are being slaughtered, our soldiers are bleeding, and you just dismiss it with a simple 'difficulty'?"

Liu Jian frowned: "Imperial Censor Wang, that's not what I meant. But war is a dangerous instrument, and we must be cautious. If we rashly send out troops, and supplies run out, and people freeze to death in the cold, the losses will likely be even greater than they are now."

Wang Zongli sneered, "Being cautious all the time? When will we finally be cautious? It won't be too late to be cautious after the Uriyangkhai have conquered Liaodong!"

He turned to the assembled officials and declared passionately, "My fellow colleagues, was the Ming Dynasty won through shrewdness? It was won through battle! When Emperor Taizu raised his army, and Emperor Taizong personally led five expeditions to the northern deserts, which victory was won through shrewdness?"

Some nodded in agreement, while others looked worried.

Wang Zongli became increasingly animated as he spoke: "Some high-ranking officials, holding high positions and receiving salaries from the court, only think about protecting themselves and shrink back when faced with trouble. How can such behavior live up to His Majesty's trust? How can it face the soldiers and civilians who died in Liaodong?"

These words were practically a direct accusation that Liu Jian was cowardly and afraid of trouble, and that he was incapable of shouldering the responsibilities of the chief minister.

Liu Jian's face was very pale, but he held back and didn't say anything.

Yang Tinghe, unable to bear it any longer, said, "Imperial Censor Wang, Grand Secretary Liu didn't say we shouldn't fight; he only said we should proceed with caution. After all, the frigid weather is no joke; it can freeze people to death. Why are you being so aggressive?"

Wang Zongli turned to look at him and asked, "Yang Shaozhan, what do you mean by that?"

Yang Tinghe said, "I didn't mean anything by it, just stating the facts. It's common sense to be cautious when sending troops. Grand Secretary Liu didn't say we wouldn't fight, and neither did I. Why are you making baseless accusations?"

Wang Zongli sneered, looked him up and down, and said, "Yang Shaozhan, don't think I don't know that your Yang family's business in Wuqing County is thriving. You've gotten used to enjoying life, so naturally you don't want to fight, right?"

Yang Tinghe's expression changed: "Imperial Censor Wang, don't talk nonsense! It's my good-for-nothing son who's in business, it has nothing to do with me. I didn't encourage him to do business, and he couldn't control me anyway. Besides, in the Wuqing County business, my son is just a small shareholder; the lion's share is held by Tai—"

He swallowed his words halfway through.

Wang Zongli, however, had no intention of letting him off the hook: "Your prodigy son? He's doing business, you dare say you didn't know? You dare say you didn't take any of the money your son earned?"

Yang Tinghe trembled with anger: "You—you're being utterly unreasonable!"

Wang Zongli snorted coldly, turned to the crowd, and said loudly, "Look at this, everyone! Some people have been living in peace for too long and have forgotten to be vigilant. They only care about their own businesses and don't think about serving the country. If our Ming Dynasty's court is full of people like this, how can it have a future?"

The court was thrown into chaos. Some people echoed the sentiments, some offered advice, and some watched coldly from the sidelines.

Yang Tinghe was so angry that his face turned pale. He wanted to retort, but Wang Zongli's string of words left him speechless.

Emperor Hongzhi sat on his throne, watching the chaos below, his face growing increasingly grim.

Seeing this, Xiao Jing quickly shouted, "Silence! Silence!"

After several shouts, the court gradually quieted down.

The Hongzhi Emperor coldly surveyed his ministers: "Gentlemen, if you have any opinions, just speak them directly. Can arguing get you anywhere?"

Wang Zongli, head held high and chest puffed out, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, my position is clear: send troops and deliver a crushing blow to the Uriyangkhai! Let them know the might of our Great Ming!"

Liu Jian also stepped forward, his tone calm yet firm: "Imperial Censor Wang, war isn't something you can just talk about. How many troops to deploy, how to fight, how to transport supplies, how to keep warm during winter marches—all of these must have reasonable plans. Otherwise, anyone can just shout slogans."

Wang Zongli immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I am willing to work with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to draft regulations, which will be presented to Your Majesty tomorrow!"

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and slowly nodded: "In that case, you should come up with a plan as soon as possible."

Wang Zongli bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

The Hongzhi Emperor lifted his robe and got up to leave.

Xiao Jing shouted, "Court adjourned!"

The officials bowed and filed out.

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