Chapter 118: Formulating the Southwest Strategy, Part Three
Chapter 118: The Southwest Strategy, Part Three
“Is there no way to settle this once and for all?” Zhu Qizhen asked.
His question left everyone present at a loss.
In truth, everyone knew one fact: the Ming dynasty’s campaigns in the southwest were always losing endeavors. Even if Lu Chuan was utterly defeated, what then?
The core region of Lu Chuan—centered roughly around what future generations would call Ruili in Yunnan—spanned only a few counties.
From an economic standpoint, no matter how one calculated, it was a losing proposition.
Everyone understood this.
But if there were truly an all-encompassing solution, so many would not be so hesitant to engage in the southwest.
Yang Shiqi said, “Your Majesty is wise beyond compare, but we are but dullards; we know of no such permanent solution.”
Zhu Qizhen felt somewhat disappointed.
Whether this disappointment was genuine or feigned, no one could tell.
“Your Majesty,” at this moment, the Marquis of Baoding had regained composure from his earlier excitement. “I believe that only by abolishing the native chieftains and instituting direct prefectural and county governance can we achieve a lasting peace.”
Whether he wanted to or not, he had now made one thing clear: from this day forward, the entire court would regard him as a steadfast ally of the emperor.
And allies had their roles to play.
In truth, everyone there was intelligent and understood that native chieftains were like petty kings in their own domains. Their loyalty to the Ming court was superficial at best. Expecting them never to cause trouble was simply impossible.
To truly pacify and govern the southwest once and for all, only the reform of the native chieftain system into regular official administration—known as “abolishing native chieftains and establishing direct rule”—would suffice.
Everyone knew this but hesitated to say it aloud.
Because it was far too difficult.
Currently, the simplest and quickest method was to eliminate one native chieftain and appoint another in their place. If one were to enforce the reform of native chieftains into regular officials, the southwest would likely erupt in continuous warfare.
If the court were to reward officials who implemented this reform, local authorities would vie to do so, potentially igniting chaos far greater than the Lu Chuan rebellion.
“I firmly believe this must never be done,” He Wenyuan said. “Once this policy is announced, the southwest will surely be engulfed in widespread unrest.”
Zhu Qizhen replied, “Then what shall we do? Let the southwest be in turmoil every ten or twenty years?”
“This time, the Wazhi have not acted. But what if, in the future, the court battles the Tatars in the north while the southwest rebels? Can the court sustain fighting on two fronts?”
“Your Majesty, I fear that if we are not cautious, many will starve within the palace,” Wang Wen said. “Even the most loyal native chieftains will rebel to protect their own families the moment an imperial edict commands it.”
Zhu Qizhen said, “Master Wang, do you take me for such a fool?”
Upon hearing this, Wang Wen immediately knelt and begged for forgiveness. “I dare not, Your Majesty.”
Zhu Qizhen said, “Rise, Master Wang.”
Wang Zhen quickly helped Wang Wen to his feet.
Zhu Qizhen continued, “The court governs two capitals and thirteen provinces. Do you think I am so greedy for a few square miles of native chieftain lands? If these chieftains could be trusted as loyal subjects, I would reward them handsomely. But since they have the power to rebel, it means the mountains harbor lands capable of sustaining tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people.”
“I want these native chieftains to know that if they dare betray the Ming dynasty, they must be prepared to see their ancestral heritage extinguished this very day. From now on, any native chieftain in the southwest who rebels will have their lands converted to direct official governance.”
“What say you, ministers?”
Yang Shiqi stood first and said, “Your Majesty’s wisdom is unmatched. However, the battle of Lu Chuan is imminent. This matter must not be revealed to the southwest yet. I believe it wise to wait until after Lu Chuan is pacified before proceeding.”
Yang Shiqi excelled in such strategies, combining delay with gradual weakening.
The saying went: ‘Serving the emperor is like handling a tiger.’
Having served four emperors, Yang Shiqi knew well that one must never confront an emperor head-on but rather use gentle means to overcome hardness.
What he said was quite reasonable.
Given the current situation in the southwest, if news of the reform were to reach the ears of various native chieftains, who knows how it might be distorted?
Trouble would surely follow, and that would be difficult to manage.
Yet Zhu Qizhen suspected that Yang Shiqi’s intention was to drag this matter from a major issue into a minor one, then let it fade from the court’s memory.
But he could find no better solution and thus said, “Prime Minister Yang, as expected, you are prudent and cautious. We shall wait until after Lu Chuan is pacified to discuss this further.”
Afterward, Zhu Qizhen inquired about preparations and timing.
Wang Ji believed that the southern garrison troops required reorganization and that it would be fortunate if they could reach Yunnan by this winter.
Hearing this, Zhu Qizhen forced himself to accept the pace of warfare in this era.
A protracted war lasting years was entirely normal.
After dismissing the court, Zhu Qizhen immediately went to see the Grand Empress Dowager to report today’s proceedings in full.
The Grand Empress Dowager lay in her chair, holding a grape, gently popping it into her mouth. “Is the emperor truly determined to reform the native chieftain system in the southwest?”
Zhu Qizhen replied, “Your Majesty, my mind is set. It is not that I crave military glory, but the chaos in the southwest recurs endlessly. The court cannot always dispatch elite troops and generals there. Although the southwest is mountainous, it is still arable. Gaining an acre of land there reduces the need for long-distance supply from the rear. Thus, our strength in the southwest will grow while the enemy’s wanes. When disorder arises, generals can handle it without involving the court.”
“This would save a great deal of expense.”
“Moreover, Your Majesty, I am not in a hurry; this is only the beginning.”
The Grand Empress Dowager said, “If you think this way, I am relieved. Remember, patience brings success. Do not try to accomplish everything all at once. Emperor Taizong wished for his descendants to enjoy peace forever, yet the world became riddled with wounds because of haste.”
The Grand Empress Dowager seemed old now and fond of rambling.
Previously, Zhu Qizhen had thought her gaze sharp and incisive, but now all she repeated was the principle of ‘better slow than fast,’ and ‘haste makes waste.’
Zhu Qizhen felt his ears almost calloused, but inwardly he thought, “This must be a test of the Grand Empress Dowager.”
“Your Majesty,” Zhu Qizhen said, “The heir of the Duke of Ying recently presented me with an excellent essay. I wish for the Grand Empress Dowager to read it.”
“Let me see it,” she said.
Zhu Qizhen quickly handed her the memorial on feudalism.
The Grand Empress Dowager squinted slightly, holding the document at arm’s length to read it by sunlight. But the longer she read, the deeper her frown grew.
After a short while, she finished and slowly folded the memorial. “I hear you have appointed Meng Ying?”
Zhu Qizhen replied, “Yes, formally. He is the general to pacify the barbarians and the commander-in-chief in Yunnan this campaign.”
“Meng Ying is a capable commander. But he is a follower of the Han Prince. Are you not concerned?” the Grand Empress Dowager asked.
Zhu Qizhen said, “Your Majesty, that is an old matter. Why bring it up again? Our veteran generals are fading: Xue Lu, Zheng Heng, Liu Sheng, and others have all passed on. How many of the Jingnan veterans remain?”
“I have no choice. Besides, as emperor, I must have the magnanimity of one. Duke Huan of Qi employed Guan Zhong; Emperor Taizong of Tang used Wei Zheng. Why can’t I employ the Marquis of Baoding?”
The Grand Empress Dowager smiled. “Well said! My grandson has spirit.” But then her expression suddenly darkened. “But why not spare your own uncle?”
Zhu Qizhen’s heart jolted, feeling as if the Grand Empress Dowager had seen through him completely. He immediately knelt and said, “Your Majesty, how can you say such things?”
The Grand Empress Dowager said, “Do you think I am senile? This memorial clearly aims to have the Prince of Xiang guard Lu Chuan. But what kind of place is Lu Chuan? Do you think I don’t know it is surrounded on three sides by native chieftains, with only the east facing Dali? Or have I forgotten that even reaching Dali requires passing through several chieftain territories?”
“With its high mountains, dense forests, and miasma, how long could the Prince of Xiang survive there? You and your father are both ruthless. Your father steamed your own uncle to death—do you intend to follow his example?”
“The Han Prince has long caused my family trouble, striving to bring us to ruin. What your father did, though harsh, was somewhat understandable. But what has the Prince of Xiang done to offend you? Why plot such a scheme? Is it because of that old golden edict?”
Zhu Qizhen said, “I would never dare harbor such thoughts. I would never commit such a heartless act. I do not conceal anything from Your Majesty. I have considered sending the Prince of Xiang to guard Lu Chuan, but only for his own long-term benefit. If he refuses, then the second brother can be appointed there.”
“My intentions are pure, Your Majesty. I dare not have other designs.”
“Really?” The Grand Empress Dowager asked, half in doubt.
Zhu Qizhen said, “I would never deceive Your Majesty.”