Chapter Ten: The Journey of Yuan Chonghuan

Sun Chuanzong arrived at Shanhai Pass, first inspecting the construction of the secondary fortress at Balipu before traveling eastward to Zhongqiansuo. Upon returning to Shanhai Pass, he dismissed his attendants and said to Wang Zaijin, "At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, you sought to build a secondary fortress, implying a reluctance to venture beyond the pass to reclaim Liaodong. Furthermore, you seem prepared to abandon the various territories west of the Liao River as well. Is it your intention to forsake Liaodong forever?"

"In reply to your Excellency," Wang Zaijin answered, "I believe that only when we possess the strength to recover all of Liaodong can we retake Guangning, and only when we have the strength to annihilate the Jianzhou Jurchens can we recover all of Liaodong. Otherwise, to initiate endless conflict, leave behind an unsolvable impasse, and exhaust our unsustainable resources—this is a risk we cannot afford to overlook."

Sun Chuanzong, well aware that the current strength of the Ming army was insufficient to crush the Jurchens, asked, "Then what is the meaning of constructing this secondary fortress? Why not simply reinforce Shanhai Pass itself?"

"Your Excellency," Wang replied, "a section of the Shanhai Pass wall is built beneath high ridges, allowing the enemy to look down upon the city from a position of superior elevation. By building a second wall at Balipu to encompass these ridges, Shanhai Pass will become as impregnable as a fortress of gold and iron."

Sun Chuanzong had indeed observed this section of the wall at Shanhai Pass and recognized it as a vulnerability. He continued, "The new and old cities are within eight miles of each other, and the old city is surrounded by defensive moats and traps. If the troops in the secondary fortress break ranks, they will inadvertently fall into our own pit traps, mines, and trenches. Between the two cities, there is water to the south and mountains to the north; the fleeing soldiers have nowhere to turn. If they all crowd beneath the walls of the old city, are we to open the gates and let them in, or keep them shut and leave them to their fate outside?"

Wang Zaijin replied, "There are three mountain camps on the hills above; the retreating troops can flee there. Additionally, the old city has three gates through which they may enter."

Sun Chuanzong finally identified the core issue: "The Art of War states that one should place troops on death ground so they may survive. Why, then, does Mingchu seek to provide them with the convenience of escape?"

Wang Zaijin replied calmly, "The tens of thousands of border troops in the secondary fortress are veterans, and they are particularly adept at fleeing. This two-city configuration serves two purposes: it bolsters morale by relying on the fortifications, and it mitigates the impulse of the border troops to desert."

Sun Chuanzong understood his intent. Although escape was technically possible, the presence of pit traps, mines, and trenches made it difficult for soldiers to flee. Furthermore, if Wang Zaijin issued orders forbidding retreating troops from entering the pass, the secondary fortress would be lost, and the mountain camps would be even harder to defend. Thus, if the soldiers in the secondary fortress wished to survive, they would have no choice but to fight to the death.

Sun Chuanzong was dissatisfied with Wang Zaijin’s strategy but could not persuade him otherwise. He summoned Yuan Chonghuan, the Assistant Surveillance Commissioner for the Ning-Qian military circuit, and Secretary Shen Qi. As soon as Yuan entered, he exclaimed, "Master, you must not build this secondary fortress! Station five thousand troops at Ningyuan to bolster the prestige of the Thirteen Mountains, then dispatch generals to lead troops in their rescue. Ningyuan is only two hundred miles from the Thirteen Mountains; we can easily occupy Jinzhou. If that fails, we can retreat to Ningyuan. How can we abandon one hundred thousand refugees?"

Sun Chuanzong looked toward Shen Qi, and Yuan added, "Secretary Shen also agrees with my plan."

Sun Chuanzong nodded. "All of this must be decided by the Emperor’s divine decree. You may withdraw for now."

Shen Qi bowed and left, but Yuan Chonghuan remained, his face full of disdain. "Master, do you really believe the Emperor can understand such matters?"

Sun Chuanzong barked, "Yuan Su, you are too insolent! Is the Emperor someone you can discuss so lightly?"

Yuan Chonghuan immediately knelt. "I have spoken without decorum. I beg for your punishment, Master."

Sun Chuanzong said, "His Majesty is naturally sagacious. You must not utter such disloyal words simply because of his youth. Withdraw."

Yuan Chonghuan retreated with an expression of defiance, thinking to himself that his master had grown old and lost his drive, and that the future of the world now rested upon the younger generation.

Upon returning to the capital, Sun Chuanzong recounted his findings, including his dialogues with Wang Zaijin and Yuan Chonghuan, though he omitted Yuan’s insolent remarks. Zhu Youxiao listened and asked, "What is this about the Thirteen Mountains?"

"Your Majesty, the Han people of Liaodong refuse to submit to Jurchen rule. Refugees from around Jinzhou have gathered at the Thirteen Mountains to defend themselves, and the Jurchen chieftain is currently ordering Li Yongfang to attack them."

"What does Regional Commander Wang say about this?"

"I ordered him to assist the righteous refugees of the Thirteen Mountains. He replied that his army, having recently suffered defeat, dares not respond by land. He has already dispatched the naval forces from Juehua Island to assist, and they have already rescued over six thousand people who slipped from the Thirteen Mountains to Juehua Island."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and asked, "And what of Yuan Chonghuan’s proposal?"

Sun Chuanzong said, "I believe it has merit. If we can rescue the hundred thousand Han refugees from the Thirteen Mountains, it will bolster our military prestige and dampen the arrogance of the Jurchens."

"That is well. Let Yuan Chonghuan go to rescue the Thirteen Mountains. As for the construction of the secondary fortress, what do you think, Minister?"

Sun Chuanzong understood the Emperor's position and attempted a final intervention: "I find the Regional Commander's arguments sharp, yet lacking in long-term vision. Building the secondary fortress is not as effective as building Ningyuan. If we hold Ningyuan, Shanhai Pass will be protected by a secondary barrier, and the Imperial Capital will be safe from a thousand miles away. I beg for your divine decision."

Zhu Youxiao smiled. He knew that in original history, Ningyuan was fortified, yet the Later Jin army invaded via the Xifeng Pass and marched all the way to the gates of Beijing. Most importantly, he knew that war was ultimately a matter of national strength; without money, it could not be won. Now was a time when funds were desperately needed, and Wang Zaijin’s plan was clearly the most cost-effective.

Of course, he had to appease Sun Chuanzong. "Minister Sun, I am prepared to give Yuan Chonghuan six thousand troops to go and rescue the righteous people of the Thirteen Mountains. What do you think?"

Sun Chuanzong understood this was a trade-off and replied, "On behalf of those righteous people, I thank Your Majesty for your profound concern."

The following day, the Emperor issued a decree allocating eight hundred thousand taels from the inner treasury, ordering the Liaodong Regional Commander Wang Zaijin to construct the secondary fortress at Balipu, and commanding Yuan Chonghuan to lead six thousand troops to the Thirteen Mountains to escort the Liaodong refugees back within the pass.

As parts of the Imperial Guard were suppressing rebellions in Shandong and Guizhou, the troops for Yuan Chonghuan had to be selected from within Shanhai Pass. Wang Zaijin allowed Yuan to choose his own men, and Yuan selected Zhao Lujiao and Li Chengxian.

Zhao Lujiao was originally a Deputy Regional Commander, but after failing and fleeing during the Battle of Liaoyang, the court had ordered him to redeem his crimes through service, though his rank had been stripped. Li Chengxian, a guerrilla general known for his valor, joined them. The three men led six thousand troops toward Ningyuan.

Upon reaching Qiantun, the guerrilla general Lu Zhijia had already settled the six thousand refugees from the Thirteen Mountains there. Yuan Chonghuan met with him and said, "His Majesty has ordered me to command all forces outside the pass and proceed to the Thirteen Mountains. You may leave a small detachment to guard Qiantun and accompany me to the Thirteen Mountains."

Lu Zhijia replied, "I request that the Commissioner present the imperial decree."

Yuan Chonghuan replied angrily, "Is an imperial decree something you can demand to see whenever you please? You fear the enemy like a tiger; do you think my sword is not sharp enough to deal with you?" With that, he drew his sword halfway.

Terrified, Lu Zhijia agreed to lead two thousand of his men to accompany Yuan. Yuan Chonghuan then changed to a smiling expression and said, "When the time comes to claim credit, General Lu, you will be grateful to me."