I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 219 Seal, seal, seal! Promotion, promotion, promotion! Reward, reward, reward!
On the fifteenth day of the fifth month of the fortieth year of the Jiajing reign (1561), in the main hall of

A report of victory lay beside the Jiajing Emperor.

The report stated that Qi Jiguang's troops from Zhejiang had decisively defeated Japanese pirates near Taizhou, achieving nine victories in nine battles. They beheaded over 24,600 pirates, while Qi's army suffered 28 dead and 67 seriously wounded. The Japanese pirate threat in Zhejiang was thus eradicated.

The Jiajing Emperor showed no joy on his face; instead, his face was ashen.

Deceiving the emperor! Blatantly deceiving the emperor! Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?

Three thousand Zhejiang soldiers faced twenty-eight thousand Japanese pirates, and nearly twenty-five thousand were beheaded. How could the Zhejiang soldiers have suffered only twenty-eight casualties?
Could it be that Qi Jiguang was a reincarnation of a military genius, and that all three thousand Zhejiang soldiers were heavenly warriors?

The report of victory was jointly submitted by Hu Zongxian, Tan Lun, Qi Jiguang, Lu Tang, and Tang Kekuan. Are they treating me like a fool and making fun of me?

Oh dear! The civil and military officials in the southeast have formed an alliance! They've conspired to deceive me!

High-ranking officials and military commanders are colluding! This is outrageous!

It's not that Emperor Jiajing was suspicious. Such an absurd battle casualty ratio would be unbelievable to anyone else.

All civil and military officials and nobles of the sixth rank and above in the capital had changed into their court robes and were kneeling outside the main hall, waiting to offer their congratulations.

Yan's faction and Xu's faction shared the same thought: the victory report must be fake. We'll come to pay homage in a grand manner, putting the Emperor on a pedestal. Once it's confirmed they lied about their military achievements, let's see how the Emperor will be able to save face then.
If the emperor can't back down, what good will happen to those people in the southeast?

Hmph, they went to great lengths to disband Qi Jiguang's army back then, but it failed. Now, Hu Zongxian and Qi Jiguang have lost their minds and are sending this ridiculously stupid fake victory report.

The officials who came to offer their congratulations had been kneeling outside the main hall for an hour. The Jiajing Emperor in the hall made no move. He was waiting for two people.

Suddenly, Huang Jin, the head of the Eastern Depot, rushed towards the main hall of Yongshou Palace carrying more than twenty secret letters. His corpulent body tripped him on the threshold of the hall, just as an old woman crawled into bed.

More than twenty secret letters were scattered on the ground.

Lü Fang quickly stepped forward and helped him up. Two eunuchs also came forward to help, picking up the secret letters scattered on the ground.

The Jiajing Emperor scolded, "Stupid servant! Can't the chief scribe of the Directorate of Ceremonial be a little more composed!"

Despite being scolded, Huang Jin's face lit up with joy: "Your Majesty, the good news from the southeast is true!"

The Jiajing Emperor lifted the green gauze curtain and stared at Huang Jin without saying a word.

When Qi Jiguang recruited soldiers in Yiwu to form the Zhejiang New Army, how could the Jiajing Emperor, with his suspicious nature, not have sent spies among them?

There were spies sent by the secret police to Qi Jiguang's army; there were spies sent by the secret police to the Governor-General's office of Zhejiang and Zhili; and there were spies sent by the secret police to various prefectures and even counties in the southeast.

These twenty-odd secret letters were all reports from the Eastern Depot's spies regarding the great victory at Taizhou.

Huang Jin opened a secret letter and read aloud: "Zhao Dahai, a spy from the Eastern Depot, is currently working as a kitchen helper in the kitchen of Qi Jiguang's army in Zhejiang. He reported that in the nine battles of Taizhou, Qi Jiguang's comrades were like divine soldiers descending from the sky."

"The ingenuity of their Mandarin Duck Formation is unparalleled throughout history. The Japanese pirates were like ants trying to shake a tree when facing the Mandarin Duck Formation. Moreover, all the soldiers of Qi Jiguang's army were fearless of death and did not seek to survive. Their commands were as firm as mountains during battle."

"Before the battle, Qi Jiguang's troops had a total of 3,038 porcelain bowls. After the victory banquet following the Battle of Taizhou, the total number of porcelain bowls served by Qi Jiguang's troops was 2,943. Among them, 28 people died in battle, and 67 people were seriously wounded and were unable to participate in the victory banquet."

"As a menial servant, I was unable to charge into battle. I only observed the battle from the main camp. However, I personally witnessed the great victories of Qi's nine battles."

"only."

The Jiajing Emperor asked, "But what?"

Huang Jin replied, "However, Qi Jiguang's troops killed nearly 25,000 enemies, but took no prisoners. This is because before the battle, General Qi Jiguang had given an order that 'Qi's troops should not take prisoners.' I wonder if Qi Jiguang was unkind."

Lu Fang said from the side, "I was also suspicious just now. How come we didn't capture a single survivor after killing 25,000 people? So there was such a military order."

"Your Majesty, this old servant believes that the Japanese pirates are no different from beasts. The benevolence and righteousness of the Chinese nation are meant to be used to treat people, not animals!"

"General Qi's actions were intended to deter the Japanese pirates who covet the wealth of China. He has committed no crime."

Lü Fang was a kind-hearted person and hurriedly spoke well of Qi Jiguang.

The Jiajing Emperor's brow, which had been furrowed all night, relaxed slightly. He said, "Huang Jin, continue reading."

Huang Jin added, “Lu Wei, an informant for the Eastern Depot, is currently a clerk in the household affairs office of Xinhe County, under the command of Qi Jiguang. He was recruited by Yang Zhili, the head of the Eastern Depot, in the thirty-seventh year of the Jiajing reign to provide intelligence for the Eastern Depot.”

"Lu Wei reports: Nearly 25,000 heads of Japanese pirates have been brought back to Xinhe by Qi Jiguang's troops and are piled up outside Xinhe County. In addition, firearms, bows and arrows, swords and spears seized from the Japanese pirates are also piled up outside the county. They are almost two mountains."

"Qi Jiguang led the county officials and people to hold a blood sacrifice in front of the heads of the Japanese pirates to commemorate the civilians and soldiers who died in the Japanese invasion."

"On the day of the blood sacrifice, the sound of weeping shook the heavens outside Xinhe County. Since the Japanese pirates invaded our coast during the Yongle period, the Japanese pirate scourge has lasted for more than a hundred years."

"A century of national humiliation has been wiped away in a single day!"

Lu Fang said from the side, "Your Majesty, it seems that the victory report from the southeast is true."

The Jiajing Emperor was still not at ease: "Huang Jin, continue reading."

Huang Jin read through the remaining twenty-odd reports of victory, and each one confirmed the authenticity of the reports.

Emperor Jiajing's usually deathly pale face suddenly flushed red.

He was waiting for the second person. Zhu Xixiao, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After Lu Bing died of illness last year, Zhu Xixiao succeeded him as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Lu Yi was promoted to assistant commander and became Zhu Xixiao's subordinate.

Zhu Xixiao strode in, carrying a pile of secret letters in his hands.

The Jiajing Emperor instructed him, "Quickly read it to me."

Without exception, all the secret letters in Zhu Xixiao's possession confirmed that Qi Jiguang's army had achieved a terrifying victory.

Zhu Xixiao read: "After the nine battles, the people of Taizhou brought food and drink to Qi Jiguang's camp to reward the soldiers."

The Jiajing Emperor lamented, "Since the reign of Emperor Yingzong, the people have always regarded soldiers as bandits. When have I ever seen the people regard soldiers as their own relatives?"

"It is evident that Qi Jiguang's troops were not only skilled in warfare, but also had strict military discipline and never harmed the people in the slightest."

Lu Fang chimed in, adding fuel to the fire for Qi Jiguang: "Your Majesty is wise. The previous accusations by court officials that Qi's troops were undisciplined and unruly have now proven to be nothing but the cacophony of crows!"

After hearing the secret reports from both the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Jiajing Emperor was overjoyed.

He surprisingly ordered Lü Fang: "Change my imperial robes and crown. I will receive the court officials' congratulations in the Hall of Supreme Harmony."

The Yan and Xu factions were not without informants. In fact, they exaggerated to the point that even when they were in the palace, messages could be transmitted through the palace gates.

After hearing the imperial decree, the officials all moved to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Yan Shifan quickly walked to Yan Song's side and whispered, "The news from the southeast comes back from the Bureau of Arrest. The victory report is true."

Yan Song stopped in his tracks upon hearing this and stood there stunned for a long while.

Having spent decades in officialdom, he was able to foresee the future.

The nine victories at Taizhou were indeed true, practically signaling the end of the Japanese pirate raids in Zhejiang. Next, the remnants of the pirates might merge with those along the Fujian coast to harass Fujian.

But that won't cause any big trouble!

With such formidable fighting power, Qi Jiguang's troops only need to move into Fujian, and the Japanese pirate threat will be completely quelled in just one or two years!
The day the Japanese pirates are quelled will be the day Yan's faction loses the southeast!
If Yan's faction loses control of the southeast, its foundation will be in grave danger!

Yan Song was suddenly struck dumb. He had a bad feeling: the day of the Yan family's downfall was not far off! Meanwhile, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices approached Xu Jie: "Vice Minister Xu, your merit will last for generations!"

Xu Jie laughed and said, "Commander Qi is so brave. He killed 25,000 Japanese pirates in Taizhou with only 20-odd casualties. It is indeed a feat that will last for generations."

"What are Bai Qi, Han Xin, Guan Yu, and Yue Fei compared to Qi Jiguang, the Zhejiang Provincial Military Commander and Ningbo-Shaoxing-Taizhou Military Commander of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

Xu Jie's words were clearly sarcastic. He simply did not believe that Qi Jiguang could have achieved such an impressive record.

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud lowered his voice and said, "The Second Young Master sent news from Jiangnan. The good news is true."

Xu Jie was taken aback: "Even if you won, shouldn't there be some exaggeration involved?"

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud said, "It is no exaggeration. The heads of the Japanese pirates are piled up like mountains in Xinhe. Nearly three thousand soldiers from Qi Jiguang's department have been temporarily stationed in Xinhe."

Xu Jie reacted quickly, and he said loudly, "Just as I said, Bai Qi, Han Xin, Guan Yu, and Yue Fei are all inferior to Qi Jiguang of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

"Bai Qi served the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, Han Xin was not trusted by Emperor Gaozu of Han, Guan Yu served an unfortunate ruler, and Yue Fei served a foolish emperor."

"Qi Jiguang was valued and employed by the most wise and virtuous monarch in history. This is a blessing for Qi Jiguang, a blessing for the people of the Ming Dynasty, and a blessing for us, his subjects!"

"Such great fortune is entirely due to the blessings bestowed upon us by the current Holy Emperor!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

In the palace alley leading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, shouts of "Your Majesty is wise!" rose and fell.

Now that the good news has been confirmed, it's time to reward those who have contributed!
Although Hu Zongxian did not directly command the Battle of Taizhou, he was awarded the title of "Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent" for his overall coordination of the anti-Japanese war in the southeast, ranking among the "Three Junior Guardians" and second only to the "Three Dukes and Three Orphans".

He was also bestowed with celebratory gold and silver, and granted the privilege of wearing a python robe.

In addition to issuing an imperial edict, the Jiajing Emperor also sent an eunuch to the southeast to deliver an oral message to Hu Zongxian: "The day the Japanese pirates in the southeast are pacified will be the day you return to the capital and enter the cabinet."

The cake drawn by the Jiajing Emperor
Qi Jiguang, the most meritorious and valiant general, was promoted to the position of Commander of Zhejiang Province. The people of Zhejiang petitioned to build a shrine in his honor, and the Emperor granted their request.

Lady Wang, wife of Qi Jiguang, was granted the title of "First-Rank Majestic Lady" for her composure in the face of the enemy and her leadership in defending Xinhe City with the people during the early stages of the Battle of Xinhe.

Those above the rank of Junior Banner Commander will be promoted one rank in their current position.

The Jiajing Emperor was notoriously stingy in historical records. He claimed to be number one, his grandson, the Wanli Emperor, only dared to claim number two, and no one dared to claim number three.

But this time, the Jiajing Emperor displayed the boldness of "I've done all I can." He allocated 150,000 taels of silver from the imperial treasury to reward meritorious officers and soldiers of the imperial family and relatives.

In addition, 300,000 taels of silver were allocated from the imperial treasury, and Qi Jiguang was ordered to recruit soldiers and expand the army to 6,000.

An official once impeached Qi Jiguang, claiming that his Zhejiang troops called themselves the "Qi Family Army" and that Qi Jiguang harbored rebellious intentions.

This time, Emperor Jiajing issued an edict stating that "Qi Family Army" was an affectionate name used by the people. "I have always been considerate of public opinion," he said. "Therefore, I hereby bestow upon the Zhejiang troops the military title 'Qi Family Army.'"

The army of Yu Dayou, which had won a great victory in suppressing bandits in Jiangxi, was also given the military title "Yu Family Army".

Everyone, from top to bottom, received a reward, so naturally, Lin Shisan, who planned the "Yunnan Horse Strategy" to lure the enemy to land, was implicated.

Without the "Yunnan Horse Strategy," Qi Jiguang's troops would not have been able to wipe out the main force of Japanese pirates along the Zhejiang coast in one fell swoop.

Lin Shisan was promoted to the position of Commander of the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard, a rank of fourth grade official, and was exceptionally promoted to the rank of General Xuanwei.

Because the threat of Japanese pirates in the southeast had not been completely quelled, and small groups of pirates were still raiding Fujian, Lin Shisan was ordered to be stationed in Hangzhou to assist Hu Zongxian in handling intelligence matters related to the Japanese pirates.

The commander of the Nanjing Imperial Guard was also a commander.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there has never been a precedent of the Imperial Guard's commanders being subordinate to high-ranking officials in charge of regional affairs.

This also demonstrates the importance that Emperor Jiajing attached to Hu Zongxian.

Half a month later, at the Governor-General's Office of Zhejiang and Zhili.

Hu Zongxian sat opposite Tan Lun, Qi Jiguang, and Lin Shisan.

After the great victory in Taizhou, Hu Zongxian wept with joy. However, he regained his composure in just three days.

The campaign against the Japanese pirates is not yet complete; Ruzhen still needs to work hard!

Once the Japanese pirates in Fujian are quelled, then the great mission will be truly accomplished.

Lin Shisan has now become Hu Zongxian's intelligence chief. Standing in front of the map, he said, "According to the intelligence I have gathered, more than 50 weak groups of Japanese pirates along the Zhejiang coast, totaling more than 10,000 people, have moved to the islands along the Fujian coast."

"Because this group of Japanese pirates was too small, they were not qualified to land in Taizhou and compete with the big Japanese pirates for food. They actually got away with it and became fish that escaped the net."

"They have joined forces with scattered Japanese pirates along the Fujian coast."

Hu Zongxian asked, "How many groups and how many people were there originally scattered Japanese pirates in Fujian?"

Lin Shisan replied, "About thirty shares, with a total of about eight thousand people."

Hu Zongxian said, "Qi Yuanjing, I order the Qi Family Army to immediately pack their belongings and prepare all necessary weapons. We are ready to enter Fujian for battle."

"Tan Zili, all the provisions and supplies for Qi Jiguang's army entering Fujian are entrusted to you."

"Lin Shisan. Within half a month, I want you to find out the names, numbers of men, number of warships, weapon conditions, and locations of the Japanese pirates in Fujian."

Lin Shisan readily agreed: "Your subordinate obeys. A report will be submitted within half a month."

When Lin Shisan said this, he felt a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.

Previously, he was in the capital, embroiled in the messy affairs of factional strife. Now, however, he is truly serving the country and protecting the people.

This sense of pride and accomplishment cannot be given by stirring up partisan strife.

His family was in Nanjing, but he was stationed in Hangzhou, devoting himself entirely to intelligence work against the Japanese.

He served as the Nanjing Imperial Guard Commander with utmost dedication and tireless effort.

Lin Shisan left Hu Zongxian's study and immediately sought out Shen Weijing, the commander of the Southern Garrison Command who was originally in charge of intelligence on the Japanese pirates, to discuss matters.

Lin Shisan was already quite experienced in intelligence work against the Japanese, and he was now handling his tasks with ease.

Shen Weijing said, "It's not difficult to complete the task assigned by Minister Hu within half a month. Master Shao is in Fuzhou. He wrote to me before, so please don't hesitate to ask if you need his help."

"With Master Shao's help, we are like a tiger with wings."

Lin Shisan said, "We must not be careless! Only by knowing ourselves and our enemy can we win every battle. Before Qi Jiguang's army launches a large-scale campaign to wipe out the Japanese pirates in Fujian, we must gather as much detailed intelligence as possible."

"Go to Fujian yourself. Oh, and take Li Gao with you. But don't let him get into any danger."

Consort Li originally instructed Li Gao to come to Jiangnan with Lin Shisan to help her younger brother gain prestige.

Lin Shisan knew Li Fei's intentions well and was happy to curry favor with the Yu Prince's Mansion by giving Li Gao a prestigious title.

Shen Weijing was a shrewd man and saw through Lin Shisan's intentions. He smiled and said, "I understand completely. I won't let Li Baihu do the risky things, but I'll get Li Baihu involved in the things that bring merit."

"Hey, what can you do when someone's lucky? They have a great older sister."

(End of this chapter)