Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 10 It's not that the people are rebelling against the country, it's that the country is unworthy of the throne

After Cui Wensheng kowtowed five times and three times to express his gratitude, the Minister of Personnel Zhou Jiamo went to the emperor and knelt down to make a report.

All the foreign ministers present were heartbroken. Compared to Zhou Jiamo's memorial, the previous two memorials were nothing more than trifles.

As for the two eunuchs in charge of imperial ceremonies, they calmly waited for the court session to conclude. They were unconcerned with the changes in the court personnel. Wang An wouldn't, and Cui Wensheng wouldn't, dare to extend his hand to the outer court. And Li Jinzhong, the "Nine Thousand Years Old" who was both daring and capable, was still diligently serving Consort Li, who had perhaps completely fallen from grace.

"When His Majesty first ascended the throne, he issued an edict ordering the Ministry of Personnel to employ people regardless of qualifications. Anyone with outstanding talents and skills will be promoted as an encouragement. After receiving the edict, the Ministry of Personnel has sorted out the vacancies in the prefectures and counties of the two capitals and thirteen provinces, as well as the recommended candidates. I hope Your Majesty will approve this memorial." Zhou Jiamo's voice trembled slightly.

During these eleven days, not only did they fail to complete the tasks assigned to them by the Emperor, but they also colluded with the eunuchs and got into trouble, causing a subtle split within the Donglin Party. It was a terrible situation.

"Ah!" Zhu Changluo bit his lower lip with his upper teeth, sighed, and said, "Wang An, summon Yang Lian and Li Rubai."

"Call Yang Lian and Li Rubai!" Wang An's voice was very deep, even louder than the voices of many officials from the Tongzhengsi or Honglu Temple who were specially responsible for reading memorials to officials from the south.

This summons was like a meteorite falling into the sea, causing huge waves.

Li Rubai, the second son of Li Chengliang, was the only general who returned with his entire division from the Battle of Sarhu in Liaodong.

Yang Lian was the core figure in the party struggle on the 11th, but there was no news about him except for a letter of impeachment.

Only then did people remember that he had been studying Liao affairs during his time in prison.

Why were two convicted criminals summoned at the same time? This was when Zhou Jiamo was petitioning for a replacement.

The emperor's will is unpredictable! Cheng Liangbi, who inherited the title of Marquis of Taining in the late Jiajing period, seemed to see in the Taichang Emperor the shadow of the fearsome and unfathomable Wanshou Emperor.

After Yang Lian was imprisoned, the guards of the Dongchang Imperial Prison not only did not mistreat him, but instead provided him with very rich food every day. Yang Lian's family was poor, so it can be said that the food he ate in the imperial prison was much better than that at home.

Not only that, Zhu Changluo also sent a large number of memorials, battle reports and records of the Jinyiwei and border troops' night raids on the Battle of Sarhu, and even asked Wang An to take Li Rubai to see him in the imperial prison.

After more than a year of constant bombardment from the imperial censors, Li Rubai was already suffering from nervous exhaustion and panic. When he learned that the Eastern Depot had come to take him to the Imperial Prison, he assumed the new emperor was going to bring up the Sarhu incident again and use him as a target. In despair, Li Rubai hung himself from the beams of his house with a three-foot-long white silk scarf, hoping to prove his resolve.

If Wang An had not listened to Zhu Changluo's serious warning, waited for a while but saw no one coming, and decisively ordered his men to break in, Li Rubai would have been hanged in the main hall of his own house.

After thoroughly studying the mountain of memorials and listening to Li Rubai's own confession, Yang Lian came to a conclusion about the Battle of Sarhu that was closer to the truth than the censors' imaginations.

"Long live our emperor! Long live! Long, long live the emperor!" Yang Lian looked solemn, while Li Rubai's face was full of fear.

Li Rubai had only met Yang Lian and had no idea what was in his memorial, nor did he know the new emperor's intention in summoning him to court. The gazes of the civil and military officials made him feel uneasy and sweaty.

After returning with his entire army from Sarhu, Li Rubai was not regarded as a hero who preserved the fighting force. Instead, he was regarded as a traitor who missed the opportunity to fight, did not help the dying, and colluded with the Jiannu. He was impeached by almost all civil officials.

For example, Imperial Censor Yang He once submitted a memorial impeaching the emperor: "It was Li Chengliang and his son who nurtured a tiger and left a legacy of trouble, leading to this day. The Li family should be held responsible for rectifying the troubles they left behind. However, the Rubai brothers (referring to Li Rubai and Li Rusong) had a close relationship with the Nu chieftain. When the three armies were defeated, why was Rubai the only one to survive? Moreover, why didn't Yang Hao's command arrow stop Du Song and Liu Jing? (And why didn't Yang Hao use the command arrow to order Du Song and Liu Jing to halt their advance?) Sima Zhao's intentions are well known to everyone..."

If Yang He's impeachment was considered reasonable suspicion, then the impeachments of other censors based on it were pure conspiracy theories. For example, the censors impeached Yang Hao for privately protecting Li Rubai, or that Li Rubai deliberately failed to rescue Du Song, leading to his death in battle.

Everyone in the court wanted him dead and was asking him why he didn't die.

So why is he still alive today? Because Emperor Zhu Yijun didn't want him to die.

"Ahem! I'd like to report on the events at Sarhu!" Yang Lian coughed and spoke in a loud voice.

"Approved!" This was the loudest Zhu Changluo had said today. It frightened Zhou Jiamo, who was kneeling beside him, so much so that he almost dropped the tablet in his hand.

"The defeat at Sarhu was primarily the fault of the king, secondly the responsibility of the court, and finally the fault of the generals!" As soon as these words were spoken, it was earth-shattering.

"Before the Battle of Sarhu, Yang Hao, the Liaodong governor-general and governor-general, and Li Rubai, the general commander, petitioned the imperial court, stating that Liaodong was short of pay, had insufficient war horses, and its weapons and armor were in poor condition. They requested a temporary halt to military operations and a policy of defense instead of attack."

"When the Ministry of Revenue has enough silver to pay, the Ministry of War has replenished its horses, and the Ministry of Works has manufactured new swords and armor, then we can send out the Heavenly Soldiers."

"However, the late emperor claimed that the treasury was empty and refused to release funds to support the Liao army. He also issued several imperial edicts ordering Yang Hao to 'attack and destroy the rebellion as soon as possible.' (Attack quickly and destroy the rebellion within the deadline)"

"The late emperor wanted to achieve his goal in a single battle. The cabinet, the Ministry of War, and even the imperial court underestimated the Jiannu's strength, believing that the arrival of the heavenly army would wipe them out. Therefore, they repeatedly issued red banners from the Ministry of War, urging Yang Hao to dispatch his troops."

"However, the Jinyiwei and border troops did not withdraw at night, and they have repeatedly submitted memorials to the court to strongly protest the Jiannu's power."

"No one in the court had a say, and all the censors were silent!"

On February 21, the 47th year of the Wanli reign, Yang Hao swore an oath to his troops. However, heavy snow fell, and the date of departure was changed to the 25th. As a result, the opportunity to launch the troops was missed, and military intelligence was leaked. However, under heavy pressure, Yang Hao had no choice but to launch the attack.

"On the 28th, the vanguard, Du Song's troops from the west, arrived near Fushun. However, eager to achieve great success, he ordered his soldiers to travel overnight, crossing the Hun River and arriving at Sarhu. Du Song's troops set up camp on the first day of March, and on the second day they were ambushed by Nurhaci's elite troops and annihilated."

"On the third day of March, the Marin troops in the north were annihilated!"

"Yang Hao, stationed in Shenyang, learned of the defeat of both armies and immediately ordered Li Rubai and Liu Ying to halt their attacks. However, Liu Ying had already advanced over 300 miles alone."

"On the fourth day of March, Liu Ying's troops on the eastern route encountered the enemy. On the same day, Liu Ying was killed in battle. On the fifth day of March, Liu Ying's troops on the eastern route were completely annihilated!"

"On the fifth day of March, Li Rubai of the Southern Route received an order from Yang Hao to halt his advance. Li Rubai followed the order and later led his entire division back."

Yang Lian was furious. "After the defeat at Sarhu, the censors in this room were like cicadas in winter, launching a fierce attack on the Liaodong generals, the cabinet, the Ministry of War, and other departments. They even fabricated facts and falsely accused Li Rubai. Yang Hao is guilty! The Liaodong generals are guilty! Are the officials present here completely innocent?"

Upon hearing this, Li Rubai knelt on the ground, weeping uncontrollably. Like a child who had suffered a profound injustice, the 67-year-old veteran wept bitterly before the eyes of the crowd, "Your Majesty! I am innocent, I am innocent!" The desire of most civil officials to condemn Yang Hao and Li Rubai to death was largely motivated by a desire to find a scapegoat and exonerate themselves. By convicting Yang Hao, they also sought to target Fang Congzhe, the Zhejiang Party leader and cabinet minister who had recommended him.

As for Emperor Wanli Zhu Yijun, he certainly would not admit his mistakes, and no one dared to criticize him. But before he passed away, he suppressed all the memorials impeaching Li Rubai, and did not deal with Fang Congzhe because of the Liaodong war.

After Yang Lian finished his performance, the entire Qianqing Gate immediately fell into a strange silence. Only Li Rubai, who was over 60 years old, was still crying.

It has been a year and a half since the defeat, and the voices he heard all said that he was guilty and a traitor.

Li Rubai's power wasn't as great as his father, Li Chengliang, nor his achievements as great as his brother, Li Rusong. However, during the Battle of Sarhu, he was the only commander-in-chief who didn't seek credit, act rashly, or make mistakes in command. But precisely because he was the only commander-in-chief to survive, he must be shameless, a traitor, and must die.

On September 13, thirteen days after Emperor Taichang's death, Li Rubai was besieged by censors, and public opinion was calling for his death. In despair, Li Rubai hanged himself at home at midnight.

"My lords, I believe the Ming Dynasty is doomed, and I am the ruler who will bring about its downfall!" Zhu Changluo stood up and coldly gazed at the civil and military officials gathered beneath the imperial throne. His tone was solemn, a mixture of self-pity and prophecy.

"Your Majesty!" All the civil and military officials and eunuchs in the palace knelt on the ground.

"Huguang, Guangdong and Guangxi, Shandong, Liaodong, Zhejiang. Civil unrest, cults, banditry, the Jiannu, and Japanese pirates. Is there any peace in my Ming Dynasty?" With every word Zhu Changluo spoke, the sadness in his eyes grew, and by the last word, his voice had begun to choke.

"Our Ming Dynasty is the Celestial Empire, a superior country that all nations aspire to be civilized by. Compared with our Ming Dynasty, Jianzhou is just a tiny place. Your Majesty, please do not worry so much and harm your health." Fang Congzhe, the chief minister of the cabinet, burst into tears. He had seen Zhu Changluo on his sickbed and was afraid that he would faint again from excitement.

The new emperor clearly has the ambition to cleanse the country of corruption and rectify the government. If he were to die of anger at this memorial, and the country were to be in turmoil due to the young ruler, that would be the beginning of great chaos.

"Heavenly Kingdom! The Supreme Kingdom! Hahahaha! Lord Fang, you're right. How could the Ming Dynasty be defeated by a mere Jiannu? It's just a minor problem; the real root of the problem lies here!" Zhu Changluo raised his finger and pointed it sharply at the ground. "The root of the Ming Dynasty's problems lies in the imperial court, in Shuntian, in Yingtian, and in every government office in the two capitals and thirteen provinces."

Is the Emperor about to launch the Imperial Inspection? All officials were shocked, but some were eager to try it out. The Imperial Inspection was a good tool for uniting factions and suppressing dissidents. The only problem was who would hold it.

"If the Ming Dynasty is destroyed, it will not be at the hands of the Jiannu or the rebels. Even if the rebels break into the capital and force me to death on the crooked tree, it will not be them who destroy the Ming Dynasty. The ones who destroy a country are always the people, the billions of people in the world. If all the subjects in the world stand in the court and stand against me, then how can I have the face to call myself the Son of Heaven? Call myself the king and father?" Zhu Changluo's blood boiled, his eyes blurred, and he fell back onto the dragon throne.

"Your Majesty!" Wang An shouted hurriedly, "Call the imperial physician! Call the imperial physician quickly!"

"Father!" Behind the screen, the terrified and grief-stricken eldest son, Zhu Youxiao, disregarded all propriety and imperial decrees. He rushed out under the astonished gaze of his ministers. Behind him followed the bewildered and tearful fifth son, Zhu Youjian.

"Remember, if the Ming Dynasty falls one day, it will not be because the people have betrayed the court, but because the court has forgotten its original intention." Emperor Taichang Zhu Changluo, who had just recovered from a serious illness, fainted on the dragon throne because he was too excited.

"National History, Shuntian Printing House, 2077 Paperback Edition" Chronicle , Guangzong (I):
On August 22, the 48th year of the Wanli reign, the Emperor held court at the Qianqing Gate. He discussed the "Memorial of Consort Zheng, requesting the revocation of her title as empress," the "Memorial of Huang Kezan, Minister of Punishments, requesting the appointment of officials involved in the 'Yanxing Case,'" and the "Memorial of Zhou Jiamo, Minister of Personnel, requesting the filling of vacancies in prefecture and county officials." He also ordered Yang Lian, a Censor-in-Chief of the Military Affairs Department, to present the "Memorial on the Closure of the Sarhu Case."

Lian finished his speech. The Emperor angrily rebuked his ministers, claiming that the Ming Dynasty was on the verge of collapse. His words reached such depths that he fainted from the throne. Princes Cheng and Xin emerged from the screen to gaze upon the Emperor, their hearts etched in their hearts. The Emperor said to Princes Cheng and Xin, "The cause of our nation's downfall is not the people's rebellion against the state, but rather the state's unworthiness of the throne." Princes Cheng and Xin wept, saying, "I will never forget."

Excerpts from Prince Xin's Diary, Yingtian Bookstore, 2050 Hardcover Commemorative Edition, Children's Book

August 22, the 48th year, the weather was sunny.

(Editor's note: This is the first surviving diary entry of Prince Xin, who was nine years old at the time.)
Yesterday, my brother gave me a carved wooden bracelet. I was delighted. This was the first gift I'd ever received from my brother. So this morning, I put it on when I went to court. I noticed my brother had a similar one, and I was even happier.

I asked my brother if he could make one for my father. He said he wanted to carve a great gift for my father (Editor's note: Prince Xin's typo) and told me not to tell my father. I'm really looking forward to it.

Are those people who are talking sick? Why do they have to cough twice before speaking? I'd like to ask Doctor Liu to examine them, because he treats my father every day. He must be the best doctor.

Court is so boring. Even more boring than classes. Master Sun speaks much better than them.

But my father wants my brother and I to come to court together, so I must go.

Halfway through the court session, Father became displeased. My brother, seeing Father's displeasure, was frightened. The people in the audience were also frightened; they all knelt. I rarely saw Father, so I wasn't afraid.

When others kneel, I want to kneel too. Master Sun says that the emperor is not only a father but also an emperor. If the emperor doesn't tell us to stand up, we can't stand up.

My brother's hands were shaking. He told me not to kneel. He said Father wasn't angry with us. I asked him why Father wasn't happy.

My royal brother said a lot, but I only remember one thing: my father was a king who lost his country.

I said, oh, I see.

My father was so angry that he fainted. Everyone was very anxious. I was anxious too.

My brother disobeyed Father's orders and rushed out from behind the screen. So I rushed out too. I hope Father won't be angry with my brother.

My father was lying in a chair, dying.

My brother was frightened to tears by my father. I was frightened to tears by my brother.

I hope Doctor Liu can cure my father.

The four quarters of the You hour.

Attached photo: A pair of large and small wood-carved bracelets of King Cheng.

Description: Currently in the collection of the Yingtian Imperial Palace Museum. Exhibition Period: Except for the North American tour from June to September each year, it is on display at the Yingtian Imperial Palace Museum.

　The Zheng family's palace relocation case officially ended.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)