Chapter Twenty: Affairs of Liao

The next morning, Zhu Youxiao, who had slept terribly through the night, was awakened by Lady Ke. After hastily finishing his breakfast, he made his way to the main hall. Today's principal topic for discussion was the military situation in Liaodong.

After the dismissal of Xiong Tingbi, the court appointed Yuan Yingtai as the new Grand Coordinator for Liaodong. Yuan Yingtai had initially been reluctant to take up the position, but unable to decline the imperial command, he was compelled to accept. Upon assuming office, he undertook a rigorous reorganization of the Liaodong army. His arrival was marked by the execution of the commander He Guangxian and the dismissal of dozens of officers, including Li Guangrong. He also submitted memorials impeaching General He Shixian for his mishandling of affairs, recommending demotion as punishment; considering He’s previous merits, he was spared for the moment but ordered to remain in service under the threat of further discipline. Yuan requested additional troops from other provinces to defend Liaodong and petitioned the court for funds, all of which were granted.

With such support from the court, Yuan Yingtai sought to reciprocate by proposing the recapture of Fushun. This delighted the ministers who backed him. Zhu Youxiao recalled that Ming had not had any notable victories against the Later Jin and was skeptical of Yuan’s claims, believing a defensive posture would be wiser. Yet the ministers considered the proposal a welcome change from Xiong Tingbi’s strategy of withdrawal and urged encouragement, so no objections were raised.

The Ministry of War submitted a memorial: since antiquity, successful generals must be granted unfettered authority to fully execute their strategies. They requested the emperor bestow upon Yuan Yingtai the Imperial Sword. Zhu Youxiao found this reasonable and consented.

Later, the Mongols, suffering from famine, came to Shenyang seeking food, which greatly pleased Yuan Yingtai. He distributed military provisions to the Mongols, hoping to enlist their aid against the Jianzhou Jurchens. The ideal was grand, but reality proved harsh; as the numbers increased, food supplies became insufficient, encroaching upon the rations of Ming soldiers. The Mongols resorted to theft, and Yuan dealt with them leniently, perhaps winning their favor, but certainly losing the trust of the Ming troops. Moreover, spies from the Later Jin infiltrated the Mongol ranks, sowing discord. Luo Yangxing twice warned Yuan, but he paid no heed, immersed in his dream of using Mongols to fight the Jurchens.

While Yuan Yingtai prepared to retake Fushun, Nurhaci was planning an assault on Shenyang. He adopted the advice of Li Yongfang, a defector from the Ming, to first attack Fengjibao and Hupiyi, confusing Ming’s military judgment before launching a main offensive on Shenyang.

He divided his forces into eight routes to strike Fengjibao. The garrison commander, Li Bingcheng, upon receiving the report, was incredulous, so he led three thousand men to investigate. Finding the enemy’s formation unprepared, he harassed them briefly before retreating, counting it as a minor victory.

Nurhaci then sent troops to attack Hupiyi and Wangdaren Tun, but gained little advantage. This led Ming officers to believe the Jurchens were not so formidable, and they relaxed their vigilance. However, on the tenth day of the third month, the Jianzhou Jurchens began their assault on Shenyang. Because of previous engagements, Ming forces in neighboring areas believed Shenyang would hold, so the reinforcements sent by Yuan Yingtai advanced sluggishly.

On the twelfth day of the third month, the Jurchens breached the outer defenses of Shenyang, pressing toward the city walls. They provoked General He Shixian to sally forth and engage in battle. He was struck by fourteen arrows and, attempting to retreat, found the city gates opened by Han collaborators, incited by Mongols and Jurchen spies within. He Shixian was killed in combat, General You Shigong was slain, and Shenyang was lost.

At this point, reinforcements from Liaoyang finally reached Hun River, only to learn that Shenyang had already fallen. General Chen Ce proposed a retreat, but Deputy Generals Zhou Dunjie and Qin Bangping disagreed, arguing that since they had come to aid, withdrawing now would be shameful. The commanders argued heatedly, but ultimately Zhou Dunjie and Qin Bangping led over twenty thousand Sichuan troops across Hun River and set up camp on the north bank.

Nurhaci immediately dispatched his right flank, four banners, to attack Zhou’s force. Before the Ming infantry formation could assemble, the Eight Banner Guards launched their charge, thinking the Sichuan troops would scatter at the first assault. But the Ming soldiers fought bravely, inflicting heavy casualties among the guards, killing one deputy general and two lieutenants outright.

Nurhaci changed tactics, ordering the Guards to retreat and bringing up the left flank, four banners of infantry, to encircle the Sichuan troops. Qin Bangping led a desperate defense, causing over three thousand casualties among the Eight Banner soldiers; but outnumbered, the Ming forces gradually faltered. After Zhou Dunjie and Qin Bangping fell in battle, their troops were routed, countless men slain or drowned in Hun River. Qin Bangping’s brother, Qin Minping, managed to escape through fierce resistance.

The Eight Banners rapidly crossed to the south bank and surrounded the Zhejiang regiment led by Chen Ce and Tong Zhongkui. Meanwhile, Zhu Wanliang and Jiang Bi, commanding thirty thousand reinforcements from Fengjibao, camped at Baita Pu nearby, but only sent three hundred cavalry as a token gesture and fled upon seeing the Eight Banner troops approaching.

The Zhejiang regiment inflicted heavy losses on the enemy with firearms, but when their ammunition ran out, they formed ranks and fought hand-to-hand. After Chen Ce and Tong Zhongkui fell, their forces were routed as well. Zhu Wanliang and Jiang Bi retreated to Liaoyang upon hearing the news.

On the eighteenth day of the third month, after a brief respite, Nurhaci renewed his assault on Liaoyang. Yuan Yingtai deployed his forces outside the city in four directions to meet the enemy, though his troops were already few and now further divided. The Ming army fought desperately for a day and night, but the next day the west gate was breached, the Eight Banner troops poured into the city, and fierce close-quarters combat ensued until the Ming army was annihilated and Liaoyang fell. Yuan Yingtai, in anguish, drew his sword and took his own life; the number of dead among officers and soldiers was beyond counting.

Luo Yangxing narrowly escaped and, after the fall of Liaoyang, found an opportunity to flee to Guangning. Having witnessed the entire ordeal, he wrote a detailed report for the emperor and requested punishment for his escape. Zhu Youxiao replied, “You are a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; your duty is not combat but intelligence. Fleeing and submitting your report is the correct course. Remember this well!”

Such was the state of affairs in Liaodong. Yuan Yingtai’s defeat left the court in utter chaos that day. First, Zhu Tongmeng, Censor of the Military Office, examined Xiong Tingbi’s merits and faults, stating: “Since Xiong Tingbi’s appointment in the forty-seventh year of Wanli until his dismissal in the first year of Taichang, the enemy invaded twenty-three places including Huahuling, Wangdaren Tun, and Puhe, resulting in deaths and abductions—not without blame. Yet for cities such as Liaoyang, Shenyang, Fengjibao, and Hupiyi, he oversaw repairs, dug rivers, built gates, and for a time fortified the defenses—not without merit. However, his strict oversight led to widespread rumors, giving the censors grounds for impeachment, and his competitive temperament was unbecoming of a high minister.”

The emperor decreed: “The investigation into Liaodong’s affairs is clear. Xiong Tingbi strove to defend endangered cities, a merit not to be erased. His resignation due to criticism is understandable. Now, with many matters pressing, the court urgently needs capable men; it is advised to reinstate him promptly as an encouragement to loyal ministers.”

Immediately, those who had most fervently impeached Xiong Tingbi—Feng Sanyuan, Zhang Xiude, Wei Yingjia, and Yao Zongwen, inspector of Liaodong—were harshly attacked by their peers. Fang Congzhe and others proposed demoting Feng Sanyuan, Zhang Xiude, and Wei Yingjia three ranks, and dismissing Yao Zongwen; Zhu Youxiao approved.

In truth, many others had also denounced Xiong Tingbi, though not as vehemently as those three. Yet everyone seemed to forget this, clamoring for Xiong Tingbi’s vindication and his reinstatement as Grand Coordinator in Liaodong.

At this time, Xue Guoyong, now promoted to Vice Minister of War and concurrently Vice Censor-in-Chief, was appointed Grand Coordinator in Liaodong. Wang Huazhen, Vice Councillor of Ningqian Circuit, became Vice Censor-in-Chief, charged with the affairs of Guangning.

Minister of War Cui Jingrong stated: “The loss of Liaodong and Shenyang was due to internal collaborators. Guangning is a small city, difficult for traitors to infiltrate; if the people unite, it can be defended. Since the Jurchens have taken Haizhou and Gaizhou, Tianjin and Denglai must be fortified.” Zhu Youxiao agreed and, after consulting the cabinet, promoted Bi Ziyan, Deputy Minister of the Imperial Stud, to Vice Censor-in-Chief, stationed in Tianjin to prepare defenses against maritime threats.

At this time, Censor Fang Kezhuang submitted petitions urging the court to employ Li Sancai as Grand Coordinator in Liaodong. Zhu Youxiao once again heard this name, but did not immediately reject it, instead referring Fang Kezhuang's memorial to the ministers for deliberation. Wu Dianbang, Deputy Minister of the Secretariat, strongly argued against Li: “He is fond of intrigue and adept at currying favor among courtiers. His apparent loyalty conceals great deceit; he befriends officials across the realm yet cannot maintain integrity. He possesses all four vices: greed, falsity, cunning, and arrogance. He should be regarded as a traitorous minister.”

So this old fellow’s reputation was not very good, it seemed; the gossip Wei Zhongxian had heard was not accurate. At this point, Censor Liu Tingxuan remarked: “If the state values his talent, use him; what need for debate? However, since Guangning already has Wang Huazhen, it would be better to appoint Li Sancai to Shanhai.” The Chamberlain of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Deputy Minister of Justice Zou Yuanbiao, and Vice Censor-in-Chief Wang Dewan all memorialized in favor of Li Sancai’s appointment, but more officials such as Shao Fuzhong and Xu Zhaokui opposed it, leaving the court deadlocked. The emperor ordered further deliberation.

Unexpectedly, the next day, events took a sudden turn. Wang Dewan stepped forward to oppose Li Sancai’s appointment, leaving Zhu Youxiao utterly baffled. The opposition rejoiced; even the Donglin faction itself did not agree to use Li Sancai. Zhu Youxiao then ordered that the matter of Li Sancai not be discussed further.

Returning to the palace, he summoned Wei Zhongxian. Due to the affair at Biyun Temple, he did not favor Li Sancai, but today’s events at court struck him as peculiar. When he had asked Wang Dewan why he opposed Li Sancai, Wang’s answer was “fear of provoking public controversy.” This response was unbelievable not only to Zhu Youxiao, but to any minor eunuch; Ming officials never feared controversy. So, upon Wei Zhongxian’s arrival, he instructed him to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Wei Zhongxian often boasted of the Eastern Depot’s prowess. Last time, when tasked with investigating an official’s political affiliation—a matter even street vendors knew—Wei had completed a detailed report in three days and flaunted it as evidence of the Eastern Depot’s efficiency in front of Wang Cheng’en and others for days. This time, Zhu Youxiao gave him a one-day deadline, intending to expose Wei’s boast and embarrass him, so he would be less inclined to show off in the future.

Yet, unexpectedly, Wei Zhongxian reported the findings in less than a day. It turned out that Yang Lian (yes, him again) had visited Wang Dewan’s residence that night, after which Wang changed his position. As for what they discussed, under the Eastern Depot’s threats and inducements, Wang’s servants confessed that Yang Lian had dismissed them from the study; they only overheard fragments such as “several million taels,” “just a troublemaker,” “he will ruin everything,” and “let him spend his twilight years in peace.”