Chapter 21: Arrangements for Yuan Chonghuan

Yang San kowtowed again to express his gratitude. Once he stood up, Zhu Youxiao said, "I understand your desire to join the Imperial Guard, Hero Yang, but I have a different idea. If you were to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard instead, specifically to act as a liaison for patriots across Liaodong and help them reach the interior, wouldn't that allow you to play a much greater role?"

Yang San pondered for a moment before replying, "I possess only modest martial arts skills. After the Battle of the Thirteen Mountains, I realized that martial prowess is ultimately limited on the battlefield. If I can travel through Liaodong to coordinate with others, I could surely be of more use. I am willing to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Zhu Youxiao then asked, "Scholar Liu, would you be willing to join the Imperial Guard?"

Liu Boze stood up in surprise and said, "Your Majesty, I have no strength to truss a chicken. Joining the Imperial Guard would, I fear... I fear it would be..."

Zhu Youxiao laughed. "There is room for those without brute strength in the Imperial Guard as well. I intend to establish a General Staff and a Logistics Department within the army. Neither of these departments requires one to charge into battle; they require the use of one's intellect. Isn't that exactly what you excel at, Scholar Liu?"

Intrigued, Liu Boze replied, "I shall follow Your Majesty's arrangements."

Zhu Youxiao turned to Zhao Lujiao and said, "Take them to the barracks first. I will issue the official decree tomorrow. Scholar Lu and Hero Yang, please remain behind."

After Zhao Lujiao and the others withdrew, the eunuch announced the arrival of Luo Sigong and Luo Yangxing. Luo Yangxing had returned to the capital ten days prior and had been waiting at home after submitting a petition of apology.

Luo Sigong was offered a seat after his obeisance, but when Luo Yangxing entered the Yuntai Pavilion, he knelt on the ground and began to kowtow, weeping as he said, "Your humble servant has failed Your Majesty's grace. Please punish me."

Zhu Youxiao waited for him to finish before saying coldly, "Stand up."

As Luo Yangxing scrambled to his feet, Zhu Youxiao looked at his tear-streaked face and couldn't help but find it slightly amusing. In truth, Luo Yangxing had performed passably in Liaodong, but he had fallen short of Zhu Youxiao's expectations, and the Emperor wanted to put on a stern face to keep him vigilant.

With this in mind, he continued, "You have been in Liaodong for over a year, Minister Luo. You achieved success shortly after your arrival, and your contributions during the battles of Liaoyang and Shenyang were notable. Why, then, did the situation in Guangning result in such a catastrophe?"

Luo Yangxing moved to kneel again, but Zhu Youxiao barked, "Stand and speak."

Luo Yangxing awkwardly straightened up and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I was spying on enemy movements and liaising with the Liaodong people, but when we delivered intelligence to Governor Wang, he ignored it entirely, dismissing it as absurd. The Embroidered Uniform Guard could not coordinate with the military in Liaodong at all. I beseech Your Majesty to investigate."

Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment. "I have an idea: I will establish a dedicated Liaodong Commandery within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with status equal to the Northern and Southern Commanderies. What do you two ministers think?"

Expanding the Embroidered Uniform Guard by creating the Liaodong Commandery was, of course, a good thing for the organization. Before Luo Sigong could speak, Luo Yangxing interrupted, "Establishing a specialized Liaodong Commandery would centralize authority and be of great benefit to the Liaodong situation. However, I suggest that once the Jianzhou Tartars are eradicated, the Commandery should be disbanded."

Luo Sigong glared at his son in annoyance, feeling frustrated, and was forced to say, "I also believe it should be established only for the duration of the war and disbanded thereafter."

Zhu Youxiao observed them both, his opinion of Luo Yangxing rising slightly; the man had some foresight. However, his own intentions were different. He smiled and said, "It is too early to discuss disbanding something that has yet to be established. Since you both agree it is a good idea, so be it. Luo Yangxing is promoted to Vice Commander, in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Liaodong Commandery. Wu Mengming will serve as the Liaodong Commissioner. Furthermore, Yang San, being a native of Liaodong, is appointed as a Thousand-Man Commander of the Liaodong Commandery. He has others under his command; have him report their names, and you shall assign them positions, with a minimum rank of Hundred-Man Commander."

Yang San stepped forward and performed the rites to his two superiors. Zhu Youxiao said, "The focus of the Liaodong Commandery is to liaise with the displaced people of Liaodong. Yang San and his men are familiar with this; rely on them. Whether it is helping people escape, gathering intelligence, or conducting sabotage, remember that our primary objective is the protection of the Liaodong people. Saving one life is better than wounding one enemy. Keep this in mind."

Yang San knelt and said, "On behalf of the people of Liaodong, I thank Your Majesty. I will spread the news of Your Majesty's care for them throughout all of Liaodong, so that all may know of your grace."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and added, "Scholar Lu will be attacking the Jianzhou Tartars from Southern Liaodong. The Liaodong Commandery will assign two liaison officers to the army to ensure constant communication and close coordination. If there are differences of opinion, Scholar Lu shall mediate; if mediation fails, Scholar Lu shall make the final decision."

Everyone bowed in assent. Zhu Youxiao then discussed various behind-enemy-lines tactics he had seen in the television shows of his previous life. Luo Sigong and his son grew increasingly astonished—they had no idea the Emperor was so well-versed in espionage, his words always striking at the heart of the matter. Both men prostrated themselves, crying, "Your Majesty is gifted with divine wisdom; we are in awe."

Zhu Youxiao felt a bit smug; it seemed the television shows of his past life were not entirely nonsense. He accepted their flattery with composure and reiterated the importance of protecting the people of Liaodong before dismissing them.

The following day, Zhu Youxiao summoned Sun Chengzong. After the formalities, he handed him the records of the Thirteen Mountains expedition. Once Sun Chengzong had finished reading, Zhu Youxiao said, "Yuan Ning was once your student, Sun, and is essentially my senior. I had intended for him to earn merit at the Thirteen Mountains to demonstrate his leadership potential for future high-level appointments. I did not expect this expedition to turn out as it did: forging imperial edicts, fearing death, craving glory, and acting with stubborn arrogance. Tell me, Teacher, how should I handle such a talent?"

Sun Chengzong turned beet red. He knelt and said, "It is entirely due to my poor instruction that he became so arrogant and dismissive of others. Please, Your Majesty, allow him to return to his hometown."

Zhu Youxiao helped Sun Chengzong up. "This is not your fault, Teacher. There is no need for him to return home. However, he is too reckless to be given heavy responsibility. Let him remain a county magistrate, but place him somewhere closer to the capital, not on the border. Who knows what trouble he might stir up otherwise?"

Sun Chengzong said, "On behalf of Yuan Chonghuan, I thank Your Majesty for your immense grace. I will select a location near the capital where he can do some practical work and temper himself; perhaps it will rid him of his haughty pride."

Zhu Youxiao laughed, "Let's not talk about him anymore; it ruins the mood. I want you, Teacher, to inspect the Nine Frontiers and see if the Great Ming border troops are truly capable of fighting. If they are not, determine the reason and see if there is a solution. If not, I am prepared to have the Imperial Guard gradually replace the border garrisons."

Sun Chengzong nodded in agreement, though he felt a pang of bitterness. He had hoped that after some seasoning in a local post, the Emperor might eventually reuse Yuan Chonghuan, but seeing the Emperor's displeasure, he sighed. It seemed unlikely that Yuan Chonghuan would have any hope of rising in the world for the rest of his life.