I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 42: Yang Xuan, Governor of Ji and Liao

"Where did the northern barbarians enter from and how many people are there? Does the Ministry of War know?" Zhu Yijun asked, his slightly childish voice breaking the silence of the side hall.

The anxious Emperor Jiajing stopped immediately.

Heavy metal poisoning made him irritable.

The northern barbarians invaded and endangered the capital. When the news spread throughout the world, it was another severe slap in the face.

The Jiajing Emperor, who was very concerned about his reputation, was extremely furious and wished he could beat all the people to death.

But Zhu Yijun's questioning brought him out of his rage and he slowly regained his sanity.

"Yang Bo, answer the prince's question."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Reporting to His Royal Highness, Xin'ai Huang Taiji and Badu'er and others led the Tumed Right Wing and the Duoluo Tuman Tribe with more than 20,000 cavalrymen. They invaded from Qiangziling and Modaoyu two days ago and are now heading straight for Pinggu."

Yang Bo’s words made everyone feel anxious.

Pinggu is located in the northeast of the capital, about two hundred miles away, which is very close.

"Pinggu? Grandpa Emperor, Tongzhou is in danger. A large amount of summer taxes and grain are gathered there. If it is lost, the consequences will be serious." Zhu Yijun said.

"Yang Bo, does the Ministry of War have any countermeasures?"

"In reply to your Majesty, the Ministry of War has issued an urgent order to Yang Xuan and the Jizhou and Xuanfu garrisons, as well as the Tianjin, Zhuolu, and Shenwu guards, asking them to reorganize their troops and march immediately. The troops of Jizhou and Xuanfu garrisons will gather at the gates of the capital, and the three guards of Tianjin, Zhuolu, and Shenwu will gather in Tongzhou City."

Emperor Jiajing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yang Bo does have some skills.

He is familiar with border affairs and military preparations, has rich experience, and has both the means and courage to handle matters.

With him in charge, the capital can be kept safe for the time being.

But Emperor Jiajing was holding his breath.

The Japanese pirates had been causing trouble in the southeast for more than 20 years.

In the north, first it was Altan Khan, and then his descendants, who disturbed the border year after year and were extremely annoying.

The Japanese invasion in the southeast has been almost eliminated, but the situation in the north has become increasingly corrupt.

From Shanxi Town to Datong, Xuanfu, Jizhou, and Liaodong, the border towns that guard the west, north, and east sides of the capital, the annual expenditure on money and grain is as high as four to five million taels of silver.

The national treasury is suffering!

When will we be able to eliminate the threat from the north like we did from the Japanese in the southeast?

"Where is Yang Xuan, this idiot, now?"

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has received the latest urgent report that Yang Xuan is still in Miyun. I believe they have received the urgent military intelligence report and are mobilizing troops from Changping, Miyun, Yongping and other places to join forces to defend the capital."

"Tell him to keep a close eye on the northern barbarians who have invaded our borders, and wait for an opportunity to attack and kill them, and then make amends for his crime."

"Yes!"

"Xu Jie."

"Chen is here!"

"Inform the Ministry of Revenue. First, keep a close eye on the money and grain in Tongzhou and other warehouses. Don't make any mistakes. Second, prepare food and money to reward the troops from various towns who are coming to support the king.

"I have ordered Shuntian Prefecture to impose martial law immediately in the capital, and the Beijing Camp and the Five Cities Military Command to strictly investigate spies and those who have taken advantage of the chaos to commit crimes."

"Yes!"

"Okay, all of you go down and do your job carefully!"

Emperor Jiajing emphasized the tone of his last sentence and seemed very unhappy.

"Yes! Please leave!"

Xu Jie and the other three knelt down to bid farewell to the emperor, and were led by Huang Jin to leave the side hall of Renshou Palace.

"Pull up the curtains!" Emperor Jiajing said to the empty side hall.

The four eunuchs quickly pulled up the curtains that were hanging down to the ground and hung them on the hooks on the large pillars on both sides.

Emperor Jiajing walked to the palace gate, put his hands in his sleeves, and tilted his head to watch the receding backs of Xu Jie and the other three.

Zhu Yijun walked gently to his side, also put his hands in his sleeves, and looked out with his head tilted.

Big trouble!

The border defense of Jizhou and other places is like a piece of paper.

Defenses everywhere, loopholes everywhere!
Without eliminating border troubles, his plan to develop coal and iron in Luanzhou, Kaiping (Tangshan) and other places in Yongping Prefecture and to promote industry is like a moon in the water and a flower in the dream. "Jun'er, the Japanese troubles in the southeast have been eliminated, but the troubles in the north are getting worse day by day." Emperor Jiajing sighed.

Zhu Yijun expressed his thoughts very bluntly: "Grandpa Emperor, this Yang Xuan is incompetent and cannot handle the important task."

Emperor Jiajing shook his head. "The garrison in the north is complicated and tedious. It is difficult for someone with little talent and courage to handle it. Yang chose this person because he is not qualified. But when choosing a tall person from a group of short people, he can only choose someone like him!"

Zhu Yijun was moved when he heard this and said, "Grandpa Emperor, I have a suggestion."

Emperor Jiajing turned his head and looked at him, "What suggestions?"

Zhu Yijun stretched his neck and Emperor Jiajing bent sideways, and the two of them whispered and bit each other's ears for a while.

Emperor Jiajing frowned and said, "This matter is of great importance. I need to think about it carefully."

"Grandpa Emperor, after this incident, Yang Xuan will definitely be replaced, so why not start now? Having more trump cards in hand will give us more protection.

As for Yang Xuan, I think he is more likely to cause trouble than success. If he makes a big mistake, Grandpa will have room to maneuver."

Emperor Jiajing looked at the red walls and yellow tiles in the distance, remained silent for a quarter of an hour, and finally nodded.

"Jun'er is right. Having more trump cards in hand will give you more protection. I'll do as you say. Huang Jin."

"The slave is here!"

"Prepared imperial edict."

"Yes."

After orally stating his will and reading the edict written by Huang Jin, Emperor Jiajing nodded.

"Use the seal."

"Yes."

Emperor Jiajing looked at the gloomy sky in the distance, sighed and said, "I hope Yang Xuan, this idiot, won't be so stupid."

Yang Xuan, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, the Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief, and the Governor-General of Ji and Liao, was at the Governor-General's Office in Miyun, summoning the Shuntian Governor Xu Shen, the Deputy Envoy Lu Yi, the Chief Officer Sun Bin, the Deputy General Hu Zhen, the Lieutenant Generals Feng Zhao, Hu Can, the Guerrilla Zhao Zhen, Yan Zhan and other subordinates to hold a military meeting.

Yang Xuan had a gloomy face and said in a hoarse voice: "The northern barbarians are now in the Pinggu area. This governor has sent Deputy General Fu Jin and others to lead troops to intercept them. We must not let them go south to disturb the emperor and plunder Tongzhou.

Otherwise, everyone present here, including me, will be severely punished by the Emperor!"

Everyone thought of the cruelty of Emperor Jiajing and felt a chill in their hearts.

Xu Shen asked, "Director Yang, where are Fu Jin and the others now?"

Yang Xuan replied, "They set out from Changping the day before yesterday and marched day and night. I think they have crossed the Lu River and are almost at Zhengjiapu."

Xu Shen breathed a sigh of relief: "If we hold on to the Lu River and don't let the northern barbarians cross the Hexi Corridor, the capital and Tongzhou will be safe."

Yang Xuan felt that he had made proper arrangements and that the capital should be safe, so he felt more at ease and couldn't help but sigh.

"I previously submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating fifteen long-standing problems in the frontier, and received a clear imperial edict praising me. Since taking office as the governor of Ji and Liao, I have worked diligently and devoted all my energy. Unfortunately, my luck was bad, and a small group of northern barbarians disturbed the frontier. All my years of hard work were destroyed in an instant."

Generals Lu Yi, Sun Bin, Hu Zhen, Feng Zhao, Hu Can, Zhao Zhen, Yan Zhan and others looked at each other in disdain.

You are just good at talking about military affairs on paper and writing eloquent memorials about the fifteen articles on the accumulated malpractices of the frontier. But they are all empty words and clichés, and are of no use!

What does it mean to work diligently and wholeheartedly?
Since you took office, how many of the hundreds of garrisons in Jizhou and Liaodong have you visited?

How many times have you observed the drills of various departments?
Every day he would call friends to Miyun, hold literary gatherings, drink and write poetry.

Can that thing defend against enemies?

The rest of the time you spend watching every move in the capital with your ears and eyes wide open, desperately looking for ways so that you can be promoted to a good position after you have gained experience as the Governor-General of Ji and Liao.

He even boasted that his talents were no less than Hu Zongxian and Hu Butang, and that he was more than qualified to take over as the Governor-General of Zhili, Zhejiang and Fujian.

Bah! You are greedy for the wealth of Southeast Asia!

Yang Xuan was still talking when an officer ran in, sweating all over his forehead.

"Report to the Supervisory Department!"

"What's up?

Yang Xuan, whose interest was interrupted, asked impatiently.

"Deputy General Fu Jin has an urgent report. The northern barbarians are fleeing eastwards. What should we do?"

Yang Xuan jumped up from his chair in surprise and snatched the urgent report.

(End of this chapter)