Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Youjian was somewhat moved when he heard this, because he also believed that many grassland tribal leaders did not have the strength to be canonized as nobles.

In particular, in order to complete the reform of the garrisons, he needed to move some garrisons to the outside of the Great Wall, allocate pastures and even territories to accommodate hereditary officials.

As the closest place to the Great Wall with abundant grass and water, the grasslands of the south of the desert were naturally the best place to set up the garrisons. As long as the tribes on the grasslands were conquered or expelled, the garrisons could be moved there.

If a protectorate was set up to command the garrisons and a suitable system was formulated to rule the grassland, it would be possible to achieve long-term peace and stability in the border areas and reduce the defense pressure along the Great Wall.

In this way, the Ming Dynasty would not need to maintain heavy troops in the nine borders and could use more military expenditures for outward expansion.

The weak state of the grassland also makes this task not difficult.

The only thing that needs to be concerned is that the Ming Dynasty has enfeoffed many grassland nobles and cannot attack them without reason.

The solution proposed by Yang Sichang is to solve this problem:

"Many of the Shuntian nobles who have been enthroned in the past two years are not loyal to the Ming Dynasty."

"The fact that they were unwilling to respond to the imperial court's call to send troops this year is a clear proof of this."

"I think we don't need to be polite to these people. We can lure the Jianlu over and force them to resist the invaders."

Obviously, he is a radical through and through.

Moreover, his experience of fighting in the grasslands last year also made his views very convincing.

After hearing his words, Zhu Youjian thought that Yang Sichang realized that the grassland coalition forces were not trustworthy during the process of leading them in battle and wanted to screen out some people.

But thinking of the custom of the jungle on the grassland, he said:

"The people on the grasslands are not only able to resist the invaders, but can also surrender when they cannot defeat them!"

"That's their custom. They believe that submission to the strong is natural."

"The Jianlu have always been trying to win over the grassland tribes, and have intermarried with the Khorchin and other tribes many times."

"If the Jianlu conquered hundreds of thousands of people on the grassland, how should the Ming Dynasty respond?"

Yang Sichang said confidently:
"As long as we have 100,000 new troops equipped with new-style muskets, I am confident that I can defeat all enemies!"

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian burst into laughter and admired Yang Sichang's confidence.

He also agreed with what Yang Sichang said, that the 100,000 new troops equipped with breech-type guns did have the strength to defeat all enemies at the moment.

But there is always a chance of something happening, and Zhu Youjian is not only worried about the frontal battle:
"What should we do if the Jianlu send cavalry to harass us continuously and break through the pass to plunder the interior?"

"How many troops should the court deploy along the entire Great Wall? How can we catch up with them if we send troops out of the border?"

"There are also refugees from all over the north. If they rebel at the same time as the Jianlu invade the border, how will the court respond?"

"Mr. Yang should not only regard himself as the chief of staff, but also look at these issues from the perspective of the privy minister and the minister of the court, and from the overall perspective."

"Let alone other things, if the grasslands south of the desert were conquered by the Jianlu, the Shanxi merchants who made their fortunes by trading with the grasslands might turn to trading with the Jianlu."

"How will the court deal with them then? Will Prime Minister Han be determined to deal with the family of my father-in-law Zhang Siwei, as well as the family of Wang Chonggu and others?"

This is what happened in history. After the Jianlu chased Lin Danhan to conquer the grasslands south of the desert and established their rule over the grasslands south of the desert, the Shanxi merchants who made their fortunes by trading with the grasslands quickly made peace with them and established contact.

After Zhu Youjian found out that the Shanxi merchants had little contact with the Jianlu, he had given up his intention to kill the Shanxi merchants. Could it be that he was deliberately letting the Jianlu go and then killing the Shanxi merchants?
That would be too much damage to the Ming Dynasty, and it might not be cleared up completely. After conquering the southern grasslands of the desert and bordering Shanxi, the Jianlu had many ways to support and get close to merchants.

When Yang Sichang heard the questions asked by the emperor, he suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

Because he really didn't expect that the things on the grassland were so closely related to Shanxi.

He was not afraid of ordinary Shanxi businessmen, but the Zhang Siwei family, which was related to Han Yu by marriage, and the Wang Chonggu family, which was related to the Zhang family by marriage, were both aristocratic and powerful families.

If Han Yu knew that it was because of his scheme that the two families suffered losses, he would probably be targeted by the Prime Minister and even lose his job as Chief of Staff.

This made him very glad that he said this when he was alone and it would not be spread outside.

After Zhu Youjian raised these issues, Yang Sichang, unable to solve them, had to give up his proposals.

However, Zhu Youjian still appreciated Yang Sichang's proposal and said:

"The imperial court would not deliberately invite the Jianlu to attack the grassland tribes."

“But the weakness of the grassland is visible to everyone with a discerning eye.”

"The Jianlu are now surrounded on all sides. If they want to find a breakthrough point, the easiest place is the grassland."

"I am worried that they are preparing to march west and conquer southern Mo."

Speaking of his concerns, he said to Yang Sichang:

"After you return, send a message to all places in the nine borders to be on guard against the Jianlu."

"Once we discover that the Jianlu are sending out troops, or there are signs of chaos on the grassland, we will immediately send people to express support to the tribes loyal to the Ming Dynasty."

"If any tribe flees without fighting when facing the Jianlu, let the Lifanyuan lower their titles."

"Those who surrender to the Jianlu will be stripped of their titles, so that the grassland tribes will know the consequences of being an enemy of the Ming Dynasty."

"All the nine borders must also be on guard to deal with the chaos on the grasslands and not let the Jianlu completely conquer the grasslands."

This arrangement is almost identical to Yang Sichang's subsequent plan. The difference is that the Ming Dynasty will not actively lure the Jianlu to attack the grasslands, but will more actively provide support when the grassland tribes resist the Jianlu.

In this way, the Ming Dynasty was relieved of its moral responsibility, and it was also more legitimate to punish the grassland nobles.

The Ming Dynasty has taken the initiative to express its support for the fight against the invaders. If you don't resist or even become dependent on the invaders, don't blame the Ming Dynasty for being rude to you.

When Yang Sichang thought of this, he admired the emperor even more. At the same time, he thought of the question the emperor had just mentioned and asked:
"What if the Shanxi merchants are still colluding with the Jianlu?"

“What should we do then?”

Zhu Youjian said calmly:
"Deal with it however you want!"

"Also, the imperial court should take the initiative to organize merchants who trade with the outside world, and let them transport supplies to support the tribes on the grasslands who are resisting the invaders, and continue to do business outside the Great Wall to make a living."

"If they are still communicating with the Jianlu after all this, then don't be polite to them."

He also mentioned the resettlement of the land outside the Great Wall, saying:
"For merchants who obey the imperial court's orders, I allow them to donate their titles and be granted fiefdoms on the grassland in the future."

"The transported materials can also be used to offset the donations, and even allow those who donate the title to purchase weapons and form a guard team."

"If the grassland tribes really can't be stopped in the future, we may have to rely on them to harass the Jianlu on the grassland."

"In short, it would be fine if the Jianlu didn't march west to the grasslands. If they go to war with the grasslands, we must ensure that they cannot conquer the grasslands in a short period of time and keep the grasslands in chaos."

"When Yang Qing returns, he will organize the General Staff to formulate a plan and immediately implement it when the Jianlu invades the grasslands."

"This matter must be submitted to the cabinet, and Prime Minister Han must also be informed. The Shanxi merchants should be summoned to prepare."

Yang Sichang bowed and accepted the order, preparing to make a contingency plan immediately after returning.

He was quick-witted and knew that the emperor had actually saved him this time.

If he continued to actively attract the Jianlu people as he had done before, the damaged Shanxi merchants would probably get rid of him first.

It is different now. The Jianlu may march westward, and the court has formulated a contingency plan to respond.

Shanxi merchants could also gain opportunities from it, donating titles or even obtaining territories.
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The General Staff has been established for more than a year now, and after the successful implementation of the Ji Si Plan, it has learned how to formulate emergency plans.

Especially after Yang Sichang returned from the grassland, he made it clear that the General Staff's plan should focus on the big picture and let go of the small details, leaving the details to the front-line generals to decide.

This allows the General Staff to better leverage its strengths and avoid its weaknesses when formulating plans, mainly focusing on making good arrangements in terms of personnel, materials, etc.

Under the leadership of Yang Sichang, the General Staff quickly formulated a plan against the Jianlu's westward expedition, submitted it to the Ministry of Public Security, and then passed it to the Cabinet.

According to the current cabinet system, military memorials are handled by the cabinet's military affairs office. However, as the chief minister, Han Yu also has the power to know about and even review them.

In addition, the plan mentioned Shanxi merchants, who needed to be summoned by him. So Han Yu soon learned that the Jianlu might march westward, which would affect the trade.

This made him sigh as he looked at the memorial:

“Why are there so many disasters in Shanxi?”

"Not only is there a drought, but there may also be an invasion by invaders."

"When will the Ming Dynasty be able to maintain long-term peace and stability?"

As a native of Shanxi, he was deeply worried about the disaster in his hometown.

Since the first year of Chongzhen, the situation in Shanxi has been suffering from drought, just as the emperor predicted.

Bandits have now appeared in various parts of Shanxi. The situation is slightly better than in Shaanxi, but not much better. What worries Han Yu most is that not only Shanxi and Shaanxi are suffering, but Henan is also unable to hold on.

The Henan governor and other officials have reported that "the gathering of bandits between the two rivers is heard every day," and it seems that a large-scale civil uprising is about to occur.

Given Henan's population and location, if a civil uprising occurred, it would shake the world and affect the northern and southern Zhili provinces, Shandong, Huguang and other areas.

The situation in the world would become out of control by then, and it is no wonder that the emperor attached so much importance to disaster relief.

The money and food most needed for disaster relief made Han Yu, who was in charge of finance, worry about it. He had been the prime minister for just over half a year, and his originally gray hair turned almost completely white.

Sometimes he even wondered whether he should quit his job and leave this mess to others.

However, the emperor's hospitality of appointing him as prime minister and the promise of conferring a title made him hesitant in making up his mind, and he could only try his best to do it.

Holding this memorial and finding another one from April, Han Yu said to the emperor:
"Your Majesty, in April this year, a group of bandits from Shaanxi crossed the Yellow River into Shanxi."

"Now the Jianlu may march west again, threatening Shanxi."

"I request that all taxes in Shanxi be retained and officials be ordered to train the army to eliminate the bandits in Shanxi and guard against the invasion of the Jianlu."

Zhu Youjian had been busy with the reform of the military garrisons some time ago and had not paid attention to this matter.

After hearing Han Yu's report, he immediately understood the seriousness of the matter and frowned and scolded:
"How did Shaanxi suppress the bandits? How did they allow the bandits to enter Shanxi?"

"Could it be that some officials are deliberately driving the bandits in to harm their neighbors?"

"Where are the three provincial bandit suppression admirals and military guards I appointed?"

"What are Yang Zhaoji and Yang He doing?"

These two positions were originally set up in order to unify the military affairs of Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan provinces and to eliminate bandits in the three provinces.

Now that bandits have entered Shanxi from Shaanxi, the first people he questioned are these two people.

In this regard, Yuan Keli, who was in charge of suppressing the rebellion and disaster relief, said:

"Yang Zhaoji and Yang He are now mainly in Guanzhong, where there is no military control and the bandit problem is the most serious."

"The bandits who entered Shanxi from Shaanxi went through Yansui."

"That place is under the jurisdiction of the Yansui Protectorate, and is under the jurisdiction of Yansui Protector General Zhu Tongmeng."

Zhu Tongmeng was a remnant of the eunuch party, so the Donglin Party and the ministers who leaned towards the Donglin Party in the court naturally had nothing good to say about him. They all used this as a reason to suggest that Zhu Tongmeng be dismissed.

However, Yang Jingchen believed that this was not Zhu Tongmeng's fault, but rather that the Shanxi officials had deceived their superiors and subordinates, which had already laid the seeds of disaster:
"This is not the case of Shaanxi officials harming their neighbors, but rather the Shanxi officials deliberately deceiving the court."

"There are always bandits coming and going in the border area between Shanxi and Shaanxi, and it is difficult to tell where they are from."

"After His Majesty appointed Yang Zhaoji, the former general of Yansui, as the admiral of the three provinces to suppress bandits, he led his troops to clean up the area for a while, and the two places were finally settled down."

"Later, there was a severe drought in Shaanxi, and Yang Zhaoji led his troops south, and implemented military control in Yansui. More bandits began to occupy Shanxi, and this had been going on for a long time."

"Now this group of thieves say they came from Shaanxi, but in fact they are originally thieves from Shanxi."

"They have divided their troops into three groups in Shanxi and are looting everywhere."

Zhu Youjian had no idea that the bandit problem in Shanxi had become so serious before this. When he heard about this, he immediately flew into a rage and shouted:
"What do the officials in Shanxi do for a living?"

"Shaanxi suffered such a severe disaster but there was no major chaos. But Shanxi is in chaos now?"

"How did Geng Ruqi become the governor? Did he fulfill his responsibilities?"

Minister of Personnel Guo Yunhou said:

"Governor Geng is a gentleman, strict with himself and lenient with others."

"When governing subordinates, one cannot help being too lenient."

"In his memorial, he also spoke up for local officials, asking the court not to punish them just because of the banditry."

Zhu Youjian became even angrier after hearing this and said:
"What does he want to do?"

"Bribing Shanxi officials?"

"Draft an imperial decree to immediately remove Geng Ruqi from his post and have him come to the capital to await his punishment."

"All Shanxi officials who should be dealt with will be dealt with according to the law."

"The ministers recommend a candidate to be responsible for suppressing the rebellion in Shanxi."

The emperor was furious and removed Geng Ruqi from his post. All the ministers in the court could not help but observe a moment of silence for him.

But Yang Jingchen couldn't help but sigh in his heart, because he had known about the affairs of the Shanxi officialdom for a long time, and even wanted to use these things to implicate Han Yu and drive him out of the position of Prime Minister.

However, the current emperor hates factional strife and had sent people to warn him a few days ago. The punishment of Geng Ruqi and Shanxi officials is actually to eliminate hidden dangers for Han Yu.

Now that Geng Ruqi has been dismissed, the Donglin Party has lost a high-ranking official, but it has not suffered any loss in the court.

Yang Jingchen could only suppress his thoughts and continue waiting for the opportunity.

The Minister of Rites Cheng Jiming said to the emperor:

"According to the previously established term system, the governor of Shanxi should be replaced in September this year."

"It's already May, and in four months it will be time to replace it."

"I think it would be better to let Geng Ruqi make meritorious contributions while serving his sentence and continue to serve as acting governor while waiting for the new governor to take office."

"The court can let the candidates write their policy outlines during this period and choose the most suitable person to govern Shanxi."

This suggestion made Zhu Youjian, who was furious, suppress his anger slightly. He knew that he could not easily destroy the system just because of the chaos in Shanxi.

For him, establishing systems for the imperial court was a more important matter, and he could not lose his composure just because of the bandit problem in Shanxi.

So he thought about it and said:

"A Northwestern Three Provinces Bandit Suppression Committee will be established, with the Governor-General of the Three Borders Sun Chuanting in charge, and the Three Provinces Bandit Suppression Admiral Yang Zhaoji, the Guard Envoy Yang He, as well as the Shanxi Governor Geng Ruqi and the Henan Governor Cheng Shao joining in."

"Geng Ruqi, the governor of Shanxi, allows the selection of officials to suppress bandits and make meritorious contributions. However, if the bandit problem spreads, they will be punished with both crimes and at least exiled to the border."

"The governors to be replaced in Shanxi, Henan and other places will also be selected from now on and appointed as soon as possible."

Geng Ruqi was allowed to make amends for his crime, but the punishment for him and the Shanxi officials was also made clear.

If you don't do things well, you will at least be exiled in the future. There is also the possibility of being beheaded.

This made all the ministers nervous, but even Han Yu and Cheng Jiming, who belonged to the Donglin Party like Geng Ruqi, did not defend Geng Ruqi and others.

Cheng Jiming got this result because he had fought for it just now.

Han Yu's hometown was threatened by bandits, and he could no longer make excuses for the Shanxi officials against his conscience.

However, he still advised on the establishment of the Three Provinces Bandit Suppression Committee:
"Your Majesty, the power and responsibility of suppressing bandits in the three provinces is heavy. Giving it all to Sun Chuanting, the governor of the three borders, is not the way to protect the ministers."

"I think it is enough to have three provincial bandit suppression commanders and military protectors, and there is no need to set up a committee."

Zhu Youjian said angrily:

"We have the three provincial bandit suppression admirals and military envoys, but who is responsible for the bandits entering Shanxi this time? Who stopped them?"

"From now on, Sun Chuanting will be in charge of the military affairs of the three provinces, especially the suppression of bandits. Officials in Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan provinces must cooperate in the suppression of bandits."

"Especially in Shanxi and Henan, they should set up a quelling and disaster relief committee as soon as possible, just like Shaanxi did. Members of the committee should sign a military order to ensure that the civil unrest is suppressed and disaster relief is done well."

"Zu Dashou was promoted to deputy admiral of the three provinces' bandit suppression. He led troops and Yang He into Shanxi to suppress bandits. Together with Shanxi Governor Geng Ruqi and Shanxi General Zhang Honggong, he formed the Shanxi Rebellion Suppression and Disaster Relief Committee, responsible for Shanxi's military and political affairs."

"Inform the three provinces and counties to cooperate and prevent the banditry from spreading!"

The fact that bandits entered Shanxi made Zhu Youjian realize that the bandit problem was spreading from Shaanxi.

If not contained, it will continue to spread to Henan and other places.

So he chose to strengthen the bandit suppression agencies in the three provinces and grant them greater powers.

Zu Dashou, who had made many contributions in the suppression of bandits in Shaanxi, was promoted to deputy admiral of the suppression of bandits in three provinces. He brought his elite servants trained in Liaodong to Shanxi to suppress bandits.

At the same time, Zhu Youjian ordered Zhou Yuji to lead 3,000 Yongwei Camp cavalry infantry to Shanxi with new muskets to verify the power of the new muskets on the battlefield.

They also have a secret mission, which is to cooperate with the Jinyiwei to investigate Shanxi merchants. If there are Shanxi merchants who secretly communicate with the Tai during the Jianlu's Western Expedition, they must be captured in time. (End of this chapter)